Affiliations: [a] Foundation of Healthcare Technologies Society, New Delhi, India | [b] City University of New York School of Public Health, New York, NY, USA
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Ashish Joshi, City University of New York School of Public Health, 55W 125 Street, New York, NY 10027, USA. Tel.: +1 443 570 6018; E-mail:ashish.joshi@sph.cuny.edu
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Hypertension rates are increasing in India, and prior
research has not explored the perception of using mobile based SMS among
urban hypertensive individuals living in slum settings in India. OBJECTIVE: To explore the perception of receiving SMS based health
messages among hypertensive individuals in urban slums. METHODS: A cross sectional study was conducted during the period of
December 2013 in an urban slum setting of South Delhi, New Delhi, India.
Eligible study participants included: 45 individuals aged 30 years and
above, with confirmed diagnosis of high blood pressure, owned a mobile
phone/landline and were willing to participate. RESULTS: Results of our study showed participants (n= 45) had an
average age of 48 years (SD = 12), mostly female (64%, n= 29), and currently
married (80%, n= 36). Their most common perceived hypertension risk
factors included: worry/anxiety/stress (84%, n= 38), and high fat diet
(68%, n= 30). Mobile calls were the most preferred mode of receiving
lifestyle counseling among study participants (71%, n= 32). Majority
preferred to receive counseling in Hindi language (67%, n= 30), and more
than half were willing to pay for these services (60%, n= 27). CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest the need for innovations that
utilize basic phone platforms, mobile calling feature, and language tailored
interventions.
Keywords: SMS, mobile phone, hypertension, lifestyle, urban poor
