Mary Jane Rotheram?Borus|Mark Tomlinson|Margaret Gwegwe|W. Scott Comulada|Neal Kaufman|Marion Keim
Diabetes Buddies
University of California, Los Angeles|Stellenbosch University|University of the Western Cape|University of California, Los Angeles|Stellenbosch University|University of the Western Cape|University of California, Los Angeles|Stellenbosch University|University of the Western Cape|University of California, Los Angeles|Stellenbosch University|University of the Western Cape|University of California, Los Angeles|Stellenbosch University|University of the Western Cape|University of California, Los Angeles|Stellenbosch University|University of the Western Cape
purpose purpose study test feasibility acceptability mobile phonebased peer support intervention among women resourcepoor settings selfmanage diabetes secondary goals evaluate interventions effectiveness motivate diabetesrelated health choices methods women diabetes n 22 cape town south africa participated 12week program focused providing applying knowledge health routines manage diabetes women linked buddy via mobile phone support questioned daily health behavior via text message women assessed recruitment 3 6 months later trained interviewer using mobile phone data collection women evaluated technology uptake reduction body mass index blood glucose levels increases positive coping general healthseeking behaviors results women exchanged 16 739 text messages buddies received 3144 texts project women responded 29 texted questions n 132114 582 women attended least 9 12 possible intervention sessions third attended 12 sessions n 822 baseline 3 months women increased sleep reported higher level positive action social support coping yet blood glucose increased 33 points 3 6 months spiritual hope decreased diastolic blood pressure increased one year later 22 women continue attend meetings conclusions mobile phones easy reliable way provide peer support disseminate health messages positive negative changes observed pilot study