title: Is the short messaging service feasible to improve adherence to tuberculosis care? A cross-sectional study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The short messaging service (SMS) is supposed to improve adherence of TB patients to regular treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study using survey questionnaires and in-depth interviews was performed with pulmonary TB patients to identify the feasibility of SMS reminders and determinants of mobile phone utilization.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The rates of mobile ownership and messages usage were 91.1% and 80.4% respectively, and 81% held favorable opinion on SMS reminders. Gender, age, education level and income profile were likely to be influencing factors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The SMS reminder system was feasible to initiate given high access to mobile phones and positive views. Features of service users should be considered when implementing SMS interventions.
authors.affiliation: China Effective Health Care Network, School of Public Health and Management, Chongqing Medical University, 400016 Chongqing, China.
authors.forename: Xun
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Lei
authors.forename: Qin
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Hong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Xiaojun
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: Lei
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Yang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D055118:Medication Adherence; D008875:Middle Aged; D017010:Reminder Systems; D060145:Text Messaging; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Mobile phone; Ownership; Short Message Service; Tuberculosis