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BACKGROUND: Tobacco advertising disproportionately targets low socio-economic position (SEP) groups, causing higher rates of tobacco use in this population. Anti-tobacco public health education campaigns persuade against use. This study measured real-time exposure of pro- and anti-tobacco messages from low SEP groups in two American cities. METHODS: Individuals in low SEP groups (N = 95), aged 18-34 years old, who were smokers and non-smokers, from the Boston and Houston areas, took part in a mobile health study. They submitted images of tobacco-related messages they encountered via a mobile application for a 7-week period. Two coders analyzed the images for message characteristics. Intercoder reliability was established using Krippendorff's alpha and data were analyzed descriptively. RESULTS: Of the submitted images (N = 131), 83 were pro-tobacco and 53 were anti-tobacco. Of the pro-tobacco messages, the majority were cigarette ads (80.7%) seen outside (36.1%) or inside (30.1%) a convenience store or gas station and used conventional themes (e.g., price promotion; 53.2%). Of the anti-tobacco messages, 56.6% were sponsored by public health campaigns or were signage prohibiting smoking in a public area (39.6%). Most focused on the health harms of smoking (28.3%). CONCLUSION: Low SEP groups in this study encountered more pro-tobacco than anti-tobacco messages at places that were point-of-sale using price promotions to appeal to this group. Anti-tobacco messages at point-of-sale and/or advertising regulations may help combat tobacco use.
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Nicotiana , Productos de Tabaco , Adolescente , Adulto , Humanos , Reproducibilidad de los Resultados , Factores Socioeconómicos , Uso de Tabaco/epidemiología , Estados Unidos , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: People from underserved communities such as those from lower socioeconomic positions or racial and ethnic minority groups are often disproportionately targeted by the tobacco industry, through the relatively high levels of tobacco retail outlets (TROs) located in their neighborhood or protobacco marketing and promotional strategies. It is difficult to capture the smoking behaviors of individuals in actual locations as well as the extent of exposure to tobacco promotional efforts. With the high ownership of smartphones in the United States-when used alongside data sources on TRO locations-apps could potentially improve tobacco control efforts. Health apps could be used to assess individual-level exposure to tobacco marketing, particularly in relation to the locations of TROs as well as locations where they were most likely to smoke. To date, it remains unclear how health apps could be used practically by health promotion organizations to better reach underserved communities in their tobacco control efforts. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to demonstrate how smartphone apps could augment existing data on locations of TROs within underserved communities in Massachusetts and Texas to help inform tobacco control efforts. METHODS: Data for this study were collected from 2 sources: (1) geolocations of TROs from the North American Industry Classification System 2016 and (2) 95 participants (aged 18 to 34 years) from underserved communities who resided in Massachusetts and Texas and took part in an 8-week study using location tracking on their smartphones. We analyzed the data using spatial autocorrelation, optimized hot spot analysis, and fitted power-law distribution to identify the TROs that attracted the most human traffic using mobility data. RESULTS: Participants reported encountering protobacco messages mostly from store signs and displays and antitobacco messages predominantly through television. In Massachusetts, clusters of TROs (Dorchester Center and Jamaica Plain) and reported smoking behaviors (Dorchester Center, Roxbury Crossing, Lawrence) were found in economically disadvantaged neighborhoods. Despite the widespread distribution of TROs throughout the communities, participants overwhelmingly visited a relatively small number of TROs in Roxbury and Methuen. In Texas, clusters of TROs (Spring, Jersey Village, Bunker Hill Village, Sugar Land, and Missouri City) were found primarily in Houston, whereas clusters of reported smoking behaviors were concentrated in West University Place, Aldine, Jersey Village, Spring, and Baytown. CONCLUSIONS: Smartphone apps could be used to pair geolocation data with self-reported smoking behavior in order to gain a better understanding of how tobacco product marketing and promotion influence smoking behavior within vulnerable communities. Public health officials could take advantage of smartphone data collection capabilities to implement targeted tobacco control efforts in these strategic locations to reach underserved communities in their built environment.
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Mercadotecnía/normas , Aplicaciones Móviles/normas , Industria del Tabaco/normas , Adolescente , Adulto , Femenino , Humanos , Estudios Longitudinales , Masculino , Poblaciones Vulnerables , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
The aim of this study was to assess the efficiency of different drying methods (room, sun, oven, microwave, cross-flow, infra-red, dehumidifier, and freeze-drying) on maximum retention of the nutritional and bioactive compounds profiling of Talinum triangulare, which is a less-known perishable leafy-vegetable. The evaluation of various drying methods is to learn the best appropriate strategy for a post-harvest drying method for retaining all the potential benefits with minor loss. Microwave and freeze-dried samples held the maximum ascorbic acid quantified by HPLC with 1.36 and 1.11 g/100 g DW, respectively. The main carotenoid compounds identified were violaxanthin, lutein, zeaxanthin, ß-carotene isomers, trans-ß-carotene, and cis-ß-carotenes. Gallic, protocatechuic, catechin, para-coumaric, ferulic, rutin, trans-cinnamic, and quercetin are the significant phenolics and flavonoids identified and quantified by liquid chromatography. The efficiency of different solvents on bioactive extractions uncovered that the methanol and 80% aqueous ethanol were good for retention of total phenolics, total flavonoids, and antioxidant compounds, which was affirmed through phosphomolybdate, DPPH, and FRAP assays. Dried T. triangulare foliage could be productively utilized as a promising raw material for food and pharma businesses because of its rich bioactive composition.
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Antioxidantes , Ácido Ascórbico , Carotenoides , Flavonoides , FenolesRESUMEN
Introduction. Despite national recommendations, routine opt-out HIV testing has not been widely adopted by physicians. Guided by previous research on physician barriers to HIV testing, we developed a physician-targeted video to promote routine opt-out HIV screening. The objective of this study was to evaluate this video intervention. Methods. From June to July 2016, physicians in two primary care clinics completed an online survey prior to and after watching the video. Survey items assessed acceptability of the video and HIV testing knowledge, attitudes, and intention to screen. Descriptive statistics were generated to analyze data. Results. Of the 53 participants, 90% liked or strongly liked the video. Pre- to postvideo, significant improvements were seen in the knowledge of national HIV screening recommendations (45.3% to 67.9%; p = .010) and of the proportion of unaware Houstonians living with HIV (22.6% to 75.5%; p < .001). Participant beliefs about the likelihood of patients accepting HIV testing increased from 47.2% to 84.9% pre- to postvideo (p < .001). Intention to screen did not change; participants had high intentions pre- and postvideo. Conclusions. Our study found that a video is an acceptable HIV testing promotion medium for physicians. Our video improved physician HIV testing knowledge and attitudes, overcoming key barriers to HIV testing.
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Instituciones de Atención Ambulatoria/organización & administración , Infecciones por VIH/prevención & control , Tamizaje Masivo/organización & administración , Adulto , Femenino , Infecciones por VIH/diagnóstico , Humanos , Masculino , Encuestas y CuestionariosRESUMEN
The HIV epidemic is an ongoing public health problem fueled, in part, by undertesting for HIV. When HIV-infected people learn their status, many of them decrease risky behaviors and begin therapy to decrease viral load, both of which prevent ongoing spread of HIV in the community. Some physicians face barriers to testing their patients for HIV and would rather their patients ask them for the HIV test. A campaign prompting patients to ask their physicians about HIV testing could increase testing. A mobile health (mHealth) campaign would be a low-cost, accessible solution to activate patients to take greater control of their health, especially populations at risk for HIV. This campaign could achieve Healthy People 2020 objectives: improve patient-physician communication, improve HIV testing, and increase use of mHealth.
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Teléfono Celular , Infecciones por VIH/prevención & control , Promoción de la Salud/organización & administración , Disparidades en Atención de Salud , Práctica de Salud Pública , Adolescente , Adulto , Anciano , Femenino , Infecciones por VIH/epidemiología , Necesidades y Demandas de Servicios de Salud , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Estados Unidos/epidemiologíaRESUMEN
Despite the 2010 CDC recommendation that all adults receive influenza vaccinations, in the 2013-2014 influenza season, only 35% of Blacks and 37% of Hispanics were vaccinated, compared to 40% of Whites. This disparity could be due to poor patient-doctor communication, among other barriers. Doctors provide more health information to active communicators; unfortunately, they perceive minority patients to be poor communicators. A novel way to prompt minority patients to better communicate with their doctors is through mHealth. Text messaging is a simple, low cost, mHealth platform widely-used among racial and ethnic minorities. A text message campaign could be effective in providing vaccine education and prompting patients to converse with their doctors about influenza vaccinations. Text prompts could improve patient communication, thus increasing their likelihood of vaccination. This campaign could accomplish Healthy People 2020 goals: increase influenza vaccination, improve patient-doctor communication, increase use of mHealth, and reduce health disparities.
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Comunicación , Promoción de la Salud/métodos , Disparidades en Atención de Salud , Vacunas contra la Influenza , Grupos Minoritarios , Relaciones Médico-Paciente , Envío de Mensajes de Texto , Adulto , Etnicidad , Humanos , Gripe Humana/prevención & control , Salud de las Minorías , Grupos Raciales , Estados Unidos , Vacunación/estadística & datos numéricosRESUMEN
This demonstration study tested the impact of a 5-month clinic-wide social marketing campaign at improving adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART). The intervention included a video, posters, pens, mugs, and lapel buttons with the campaign slogan "Live the Solution: Take Your Pills Every Day." Participants self-reported adherence over a 4-week interval, the primary outcome, with a visual analogue scale. Pre- and post-intervention surveys were completed by 141 participants. Adherence did not change over time (absolute mean change -2.02 %, paired t test P = 0.39). Among the 39.7 % of participants who correctly identified the campaign slogan on the post-intervention survey, adherence increased by 3.3 %, while it decreased in the other participants by 5.5 % (paired t test P = 0.07). The well-received campaign did not increase short-term adherence to ART, but adherence tended to increase in participants who were more engaged with the intervention. Future interventions should engage patients more completely and have a more potent effect on adherence.
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Fármacos Anti-VIH/uso terapéutico , Infecciones por VIH/tratamiento farmacológico , Promoción de la Salud/métodos , Cumplimiento de la Medicación , Mercadeo Social , Adolescente , Adulto , Instituciones de Atención Ambulatoria , Ensayos Clínicos como Asunto , Femenino , Humanos , Intención , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Análisis Multivariante , Autoeficacia , Grabación en Video , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
Promoting awareness, increasing knowledge, and eliminating stigma is important for stopping the spread of HIV/AIDS. The relation of social determinants and communication inequalities with HIV/AIDS-related cognitive processes has not been studied previously in India. Gender-stratified Poisson regression models of 123,459 women and 73,908 men in the 2005-2006 National Family Health Survey were used to calculate relative risk estimates and 95% confidence intervals for these associations. Results indicated that there are significant inequalities in mass media use among different social classes. Education and wealth are strongly and positively associated with awareness of HIV/AIDS and knowledge about prevention and transmission of AIDS and negatively associated with HIV/AIDS-related stigma. These associations attenuated when use of various mass media types were added to the models with television showing the strongest effect. Mass media may be helpful in reducing social disparities in HIV/AIDS outcomes.
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Comunicación , Infecciones por VIH/prevención & control , Conocimientos, Actitudes y Práctica en Salud , Medios de Comunicación de Masas/estadística & datos numéricos , Clase Social , Adolescente , Adulto , Intervalos de Confianza , Estudios Transversales , Femenino , Infecciones por VIH/psicología , Educación en Salud/métodos , Humanos , India , Entrevistas como Asunto , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Oportunidad Relativa , Factores de Riesgo , Estigma Social , Factores Socioeconómicos , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
The HIV epidemic in the United States has disproportionately affected young racial/ethnic minority men who have sex with men (YMSM). However, HIV testing rates among young men of color remain low. Within this sample of racial/ethnic minority YMSM (n = 363), the first HIV test was a median of 2 years after men who have sex with men sexual debut. Individuals with less than 1 year between their first negative and first positive HIV test were significantly more likely to identify the reason for their first negative test as being sick (OR = 2.99; 95 % CI 1.23-7.27). This may suggest that these YMSM may have experienced symptoms of acute HIV infection. Of major concern is that many YMSM in our study tested positive for HIV on their first HIV test. Given recommendations for at least annual HIV testing, our findings reveal that medical providers YMSM need to know the importance of regular testing.
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Etnicidad/psicología , Seropositividad para VIH/diagnóstico , Seropositividad para VIH/etnología , Conductas Relacionadas con la Salud/etnología , Homosexualidad Masculina/etnología , Grupos Minoritarios/psicología , Adolescente , Estudios de Cohortes , Condones/estadística & datos numéricos , Etnicidad/estadística & datos numéricos , Seropositividad para VIH/psicología , Homosexualidad Masculina/psicología , Humanos , Entrevistas como Asunto , Modelos Logísticos , Masculino , Grupos Minoritarios/estadística & datos numéricos , Análisis Multivariante , Factores Socioeconómicos , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , Estados Unidos/epidemiología , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
Serotonin N-acetyltransferase (SNAT) is the penultimate enzyme involved in plant melatonin biosynthesis. Identifying its expression under development and stress will reveal the regulatory role in the soybean. To identify and characterize SNAT, we employed genome-wide analysis, gene structure, cis-acting elements, expression, and enzyme activity. We identified seven putative genes by genome-wide analysis and found chloroplast signal peptides in three GmSNATs. To elucidate GmSNATs role, expression datasets of more than a hundred samples related to circadian rhythm, developmental stages, and stress conditions were analysed. Notably, the expression of GmSNAT1 did not show significant expression during biotic and abiotic stress. The GmSNAT1 sequence showed 67.8 and 72.2 % similarities with OsSNAT and AtSNAT, respectively. The Km and Vmax of the purified recombinant GmSNAT1 were 657 µM and 3780 pmol/min/mg, respectively. To further understand the GmSNAT1 role, we supplemented different concentrations of serotonin and melatonin to in-vitro cultures and seed priming. These studies revealed that the GmSNAT1 expression was significantly up-regulated at higher concentrations of serotonin and down-regulated at higher melatonin concentrations. We speculate that a high concentration of melatonin during abiotic, biotic stress, and in-vitro cultures are responsible for regulating GmSNAT1 expression, which may regulate them at the enzyme level during stress in soybean.
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N-Acetiltransferasa de Arilalquilamina , Melatonina , N-Acetiltransferasa de Arilalquilamina/química , N-Acetiltransferasa de Arilalquilamina/genética , N-Acetiltransferasa de Arilalquilamina/metabolismo , Regulación de la Expresión Génica de las Plantas , Melatonina/genética , Melatonina/metabolismo , Proteínas de Plantas/genética , Proteínas de Plantas/metabolismo , Señales de Clasificación de Proteína/genética , Serotonina/genética , Serotonina/metabolismo , Glycine max/genética , Glycine max/metabolismo , Estrés Fisiológico/genéticaRESUMEN
N-Acetylserotonin O-methyltransferase (ASMT) is the final enzyme involved in melatonin biosynthesis. Identifying the expression of ASMT will reveal the regulatory role in the development and stress conditions in soybean. To identify and characterize ASMT in soybean (GmASMT), we employed genome-wide analysis, gene structure, cis-acting elements, gene expression, co-expression network analysis, and enzyme assay. We found seven pairs of segmental and tandem duplication pairs among the 44 identified GmASMTs by genome-wide analysis. Notably, co-expression network analysis reported that distinct GmASMTs are involved in various stress response. For example, GmASMT3, GmASMT44, GmASMT17, and GmASMT7 are involved in embryo development, heat, drought, aphid, and soybean cyst nematode infections, respectively. These distinct networks of GmASMTs were associated with transcription factors (NAC, MYB, WRKY, and ERF), stress signalling, isoflavone and secondary metabolites, calcium, and calmodulin proteins involved in stress regulation. Further, GmASMTs demonstrated auxin-like activities by regulating the genes involved in auxin transporter (WAT1 and NRT1/PTR) and auxin-responsive protein during developmental and biotic stress. The current study identified the key regulatory role of GmASMTs during development and stress. Hence GmASMT could be the primary target in genetic engineering for crop improvement under changing environmental conditions.
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Serotonin and melatonin are important signaling and stress mitigating molecules. However, their role and molecular mechanism in the accumulation of isoflavones are not clearly defined. To elucidate their functions, serotonin and melatonin were applied to in vitro cultures of soybean at different concentrations and analyzed to assess the accumulation of isoflavone content followed by transcript levels of biosynthesis genes at different time intervals. Increased total phenolics, total flavonoids, and different forms of isoflavone content were observed in the treatments. Expression levels of critical genes in isoflavone, ethylene, jasmonic acid, abscisic acid, and melatonin biosynthesis and related transcription factor were quantified. A correlation was observed between the expression of ethylene biosynthesis genes (S-adenosylmethionine synthase and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate oxidase) and isoflavone biosynthesis genes (chalcone synthase, chalcone reductase, and isoflavone synthase). We hypothesize that, under serotonin and melatonin treatments, ethylene biosynthesis may play a role in the increase/decrease in isoflavone content in soybean culture.
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Isoflavonas , Melatonina , Etilenos , Serotonina , Glycine max/genéticaRESUMEN
Basella rubra L. is an important green leafy vegetable vine and is known for its health benefits in traditional medicine. Light is a basic physical factor essential to the development and bioactive secondary metabolite production in in vitro callus cultures. The present study researched the impact of different photoperiods on biomass, bioactive compounds, and antioxidant activity in callus cultures of B. rubra. The in vitro seedling based cotyledonary leaf explants responded differently, when cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium with varying concentrations and combination of auxins and cytokinins. The best callus proliferation was found in MS medium with 0.1 mg.L-1 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) and 6 mg.L-1 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP), with greenish callus inception by about 2 weeks. The growth curve recorded for 6 weeks of culturing revealed that the photoperiod effect was found to be pivotal for acquiring biomass. At the fifth week, the continuous light supported maximum biomass (12.42 g) production followed by the 16:8 h photoperiod (9.02 g) and continuous darkness (4.28 g). The 80% ethanol extract of 1-week-old callus that grows under the 16:8 h photoperiod showed the highest total phenolic content (TPC) (74 mg.100 g-1 fresh weight, FW) when compared to all other extracts at different stages. The ferric reducing antioxidant power assay showed the highest (336.23 mg.100 g-1 FW) activity in methanol extractions of first-week callus cultures maintained in the continuous light condition. HPLC-UV identification and quantification of individual phenolics and flavonoids, such as gallic, trans-cinnamic, quercetin, protocatechuic and rutin, were highest in the callus cultures. The outcome of this study is significant to this plant, as B. rubra is familiar for its important health constituents with high-value bioactives and applications in the pharma and nutraceutical industries.
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Antioxidantes/farmacología , Caryophyllales/crecimiento & desarrollo , Fotoperiodo , Plantas Medicinales/crecimiento & desarrollo , Caryophyllales/química , Clorofila/análisis , Cromatografía Líquida de Alta Presión , Cinamatos/análisis , Flavonoides/análisis , Luz , Fenoles/análisis , Plantas Medicinales/química , Quercetina/análisis , Espectrofotometría UltravioletaRESUMEN
African American women are disproportionately affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the United States. To address this disparity, the CDC released a call for targeted communication campaigns in African American communities. The mass media is an HIV/AIDS information source used by African Americans, and media initiatives can be cost-effective for delivering HIV prevention messages. Needed is research in communities at risk to determine the messages needed and the preferred formats and channels with which to deliver the messages so that targeted communication campaigns can be part of the multifaceted approach to ending the HIV/AIDS disparity affecting African American women.
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Negro o Afroamericano , Medios de Comunicación/tendencias , Infecciones por VIH , Disparidades en Atención de Salud , Salud de la Mujer , Adulto , Femenino , Infecciones por VIH/tratamiento farmacológico , Infecciones por VIH/epidemiología , Infecciones por VIH/prevención & control , HumanosRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: Routine HIV testing is not adequately occurring in primary care. One reason is that physicians perceive that patients do not want to discuss HIV testing and would prefer that patients initiate the discussion. A patient-centered text message campaign may prompt patients to discuss HIV testing with their physicians, thereby increasing HIV testing. METHODS: The study took place in clinics serving low-income populations. Participants received a randomized text message 30 minutes before their appointment, prompting them to discuss either HIV or an unrelated health topic with their physician. Participants were interviewed after their appointment to ascertain if they had discussed HIV testing, and test orders were verified via electronic medical record. RESULTS: Among participants sent an HIV text message (n = 17), 6 were HIV tested (35%). No participants sent a control text message were HIV tested. Of the 10 participants who reported reading the HIV message, 7 (70%) discussed HIV with their physician and 6 (60%) were tested. CONCLUSION: Our proof-of-concept study suggests an HIV text message campaign may increase HIV testing by encouraging patients to initiate discussion with their physicians. This intervention may increase HIV testing among low-income populations. A larger study is needed to confirm these findings.
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Serodiagnóstico del SIDA , Infecciones por VIH/diagnóstico , Educación del Paciente como Asunto/organización & administración , Atención Primaria de Salud/organización & administración , Envío de Mensajes de Texto , Adulto , Estudios de Factibilidad , Femenino , Infecciones por VIH/sangre , Infecciones por VIH/prevención & control , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Prueba de Estudio ConceptualRESUMEN
PURPOSE: Mobile health (mHealth) has promise to improve patient access to disease prevention and health promotion services; however, historically underserved populations may have poor access to mobile phones or may not be aware of or comfortable using phone features. Our objectives were to assess mobile phone ownership and mobile phone literacy among low-income, predominately racial and ethnic minority patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of a convenience sample of primary care patients in a publicly-funded clinic in Houston, TX. RESULTS: Of 285 participants, 240 owned a mobile phone and 129 owned a smartphone. The most common uses of phones were talk (89%) and text messaging (65%). Only 28% of smartphone owners had health apps. Younger age was significantly associated with smartphone ownership and use of smartphones for Internet browsing, social media, and apps. CONCLUSION: Our findings from a safety-net patient population represent trends in mobile phone ownership and literacy. Despite the single-site location of our study, the findings could be helpful to health promotion practitioners working with similar underserved populations. mHealth interventions should employ phone features that are accessible and familiar to the target audience to avoid denying intervention benefits to those with low mobile phone literacy and therefore widen health disparities.
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Purpose Despite national recommendations stating all individuals in the 1945-1965 "birth cohort" be tested for hepatitis C virus (HCV), testing rates remain low. The purpose of this proof of concept study was to assess the feasibility of text messaging to promote HCV testing among birth cohort patients. Methods Participants were assigned to receive a text message to promote HCV testing, or a general health message as a control. Participants were sent the message immediately prior to an upcoming appointment. Patients not enrolled in the study were in the standard-of-care group. To assess the impact of the text on HCV test orders on the appointment date participant charts were reviewed. Results The sample was largely non-Hispanic, Caucasian, and female. Of participants sent the HCV message (n = 22), 50.0% had a test ordered, compared to 41.7% and 27.5% in the control (n = 13) and standard-of-care groups (n = 69), respectively. Conclusion This proof of concept study demonstrated the feasibility of text messaging to promote HCV testing among birth cohort patients. Those receiving the HCV message were more likely to have an HCV test ordered compared to those who received no message, although this difference was not statistically significant. A larger study is needed to confirm these results.
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BACKGROUND: Racial and ethnic minorities face disparities in receiving the influenza vaccination. A text message intervention could deliver personalized and timely messages to counsel patients on asking their physician for the vaccination. AIMS: We assessed whether patients would be receptive to influenza vaccination text messages. METHODS: Participants were recruited from a sample of low-income, racial and ethnic minority primary care patients. Participants completed a self-administered survey. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data. RESULTS: There were 274 patients who participated and answered the questions of interest, of whom 70% were racial and ethnic minorities and 85% owned a cell phone. Thirty-six percent reported they had never received an influenza vaccination recommendation from their physician. However, 84% would be comfortable asking their physician for the influenza vaccination. Of cell phone-owning participants who would be comfortable asking their physician about the influenza vaccination, 80% would also be comfortable receiving a text message reminder. CONCLUSION: Text messages may be an acceptable channel to prompt patients to discuss the annual influenza vaccination with their physicians. Text messaging is a feasible tool to engage patients in their health and improve annual influenza vaccination rates among low-income, racial and ethnic minority patients.
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Physicians are not routinely offering patients HIV testing, partly due to perceived patient discomfort with discussing HIV. This study assessed patients' comfort level and whether physician recommendations can overcome any discomfort that does exist. In a publicly funded primary care clinic, we administered a survey exploring patient facilitators to HIV testing, with 266 patients answering the 2 main survey questions of interest. Most participants wanted their physician to offer HIV testing (n = 175; 65.8%). Even among participants who did not want their physician to offer HIV testing (n = 91), over half (n = 54; 59.3%) reported they would "likely" or "very likely" accept HIV testing if their physician recommended it. Based on our findings, not only are negative attitudes about HIV testing among patients uncommon but physician recommendations may be able to convince patients to receive HIV testing in spite of patients stating they do not want the test.
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Infecciones por VIH/diagnóstico , Comunicación en Salud , Tamizaje Masivo/psicología , Aceptación de la Atención de Salud , Relaciones Médico-Paciente , Pautas de la Práctica en Medicina/estadística & datos numéricos , Serodiagnóstico del SIDA/estadística & datos numéricos , Actitud Frente a la Salud , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Tamizaje Masivo/estadística & datos numéricos , Persona de Mediana Edad , Médicos , Atención Primaria de Salud , Encuestas y CuestionariosRESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to determine racial and ethnic minority patient receptiveness to health reminders, and preferences for media channels and messengers for preventive health reminders. METHODS: A pen and paper survey was administered to patients in the waiting room of a publicly funded clinic serving predominately racial and ethnic minorities. RESULTS: Three-fourths of participants said they would like to receive health reminders. The top three preferred methods of receiving health reminders were via text message, phone call, and letter by mail. About half of participants wanted their doctor or nurse to send them the health reminder. CONCLUSIONS: Health reminders could be a tool to successfully encourage racial and ethnic minority patients to participate in their own health. If physicians or nurses use a cell phone text message, a phone call, or a letter to send these health reminders they may be particularly effective at improving patient health outcomes.