269700 Effectiveness of Txt4health type 2 Diabetes program

Monday, October 29, 2012 : 3:10 PM - 3:30 PM

Lisanne Brown, PhD , Division of Evaluation and Research, Louisiana Public Health Institute, New Orleans, LA
Nebeyou Abebe, MA, PMP , Project Manager, Consumer Engagement, Louisiana Public Health Institute, New Orleans, LA
Snigdha Mukherjee, PhD , Louisiana Public Health Institute, New Orleans, LA
Anjum Khurshid, MBBS, PhD , Health Systems Development, Louisiana Public Health Institute, New Orleans, LA
     
Background: One out of 10 adults in Louisiana has been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and it is estimated that up to 60% in the Greater New Orleans (GNO) area has at least one risk factor (e.g., overweight/obese, smokes, high blood pressure). Txt4health is an interactive, personalized 14 week text messaging program for GNO residents 18 and older that assesses a participant's risk for developing type 2 diabetes, allow participants to set personal goals (re: weight loss and physical activity), track participants' weight and activity levels, send tailored educational and motivational messages and encourage healthy diet and increased exercise levels based on risk level, and connect individuals to local health and wellness resources (e.g., providers, farmers markets).

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of the Txt4health program.

Methods: baseline and follow-up surveys will measure the awareness of and support for the Txt4Health program. RDD telephone surveys of 500 adults 18+ and 200 internet online panelists will be surveyed for a total of 700 participants. The baseline survey was conducted in January 2012 and the post-campaign survey will be conducted in April/May 2012. Program statistics will document enrolment and program completion. A second survey will be conducted among a random sample of consenting program enrolees to assess satisfaction and performance.

Results: Baseline survey results show very few respondents who claim to have heard of “Txt4health” as expected. The majority of respondents correctly identified 5 of the 6 health conditions as being associated with Type 2 Diabetes (Amputation: 83%, Blindness: 79%, Heart disease and stroke: 70%, High blood pressure: 70%, and Kidney disease: 66%). Respondents most likely to make correct associations are those with a family history of diabetes.

Discussion: Texting interventions in health are relatively new and their effectiveness is unknown. The results of this evaluation will inform the mobile health field.

Learning Areas:
Chronic disease management and prevention
Conduct evaluation related to programs, research, and other areas of practice

Learning Objectives:
To evaluate the Txt4health Type 2 Diabetes Program To discuss the challenges in evaluating population-based mobile technology programs

Keywords: Diabetes, Behavior Modification

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am the Principal Investigator on the ONC-funded Beacon Community Program that includes running a text-based intervention on diabetes awareness. I have also held faculty positions in the School of Medicine.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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