title: Improving health worker adherence to malaria treatment guidelines in Papua New Guinea: feasibility and acceptability of a text message reminder service.
abstract: The aim of this study is to assess whether a text message reminder service designed to support health worker adherence to a revised malaria treatment protocol is feasible and acceptable in Papua New Guinea (PNG). The study took place in six purposively selected health facilities located in the Eastern Highlands Province (EHP) of PNG. Ten text messages designed to remind participants of key elements of the new NMTP were transmitted to 42 health workers twice over a two week period (two text messages per day, Monday to Friday) via the country's largest mobile network provider. The feasibility and acceptability of the text message reminder service was assessed by transmission reports, participant diaries and group discussions. Findings indicate that the vast majority of text messages were successfully transmitted, participants' had regular mobile phone access and that most text messages were read most of the time and were considered both acceptable and clinically useful. Nevertheless, the study found that PNG health workers may tire of the service if the same messages are repeated too many times and that health workers may be reluctant to utilize more comprehensive, yet complementary, resources. In conclusion, a text message reminder service to support health worker adherence to the new malaria treatment protocol is feasible and acceptable in PNG. A rigorous pragmatic, effectiveness trial would be justified on the basis of these findings.
authors.affiliation: Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research (PNGIMR), Goroka, Eastern Highlands Province, Papua New Guinea.
authors.forename: Serah F
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Kurumop
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bullen
authors.forename: Robyn
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Whittaker
authors.forename: Inoni
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Betuela
authors.forename: Manuel W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Hetzel
authors.forename: Justin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pulford
mesh_terms: D040421:Cell Phone; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D019983:Guideline Adherence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008288:Malaria / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*; D010219:Papua New Guinea; D010865:Pilot Projects; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D017010:Reminder Systems; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D060145:Text Messaging; D013997:Time Factors