From the background in PubMed: Patient reminder systems are an evidence-based way to improve childhood vaccination rates but are difficult to implement in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Short Message Service (SMS) texts may offer a potential low-cost solution, especially in LMICs where mobile phones are becoming more ubiquitous.

mFHAST Implications: Feasibility of using SMS for increasing childhood vaccination rates in LMIC settings

From the article abstract: Children are 5 times more likely to be overweight at the age of 12 years if they are overweight during the preschool period. The purpose of this study was to establish the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effects of a cognitive behavioral intervention (TEXT2COPE) synergized with tailored mobile technology (mHealth) on the healthy lifestyle behaviors of parents of overweight and obese preschoolers delivered in a primary care setting.

mFHAST Implication: Utilizing a cognitive behavioral skills intervention with SMS has great potential for supporting clinical care of overweight and obese preschool children and their families.

From the PubMed article abstract: "The aim of our study was to examine the association between problematic cell phone use (PCPU) for text messaging and substance abuse in young adolescents. This cross-sectional study was conducted on the basis of an ad hoc questionnaire, during the 2014-2015 school year in a province of the Veneto Region (Italy); it involved a sample of 1156 students in grades 6 to 8 (11 to 13 years old). A self-report scale based on the Short Message Service (SMS) Problem Use Diagnostic Questionnaire (SMS-PUDQ) was administered to assess the sample's PCPU."

mFHAST Implications: Methods for measuring Problematic Cell Phone Use

This study provides some baseline results in terms of the opportunity for use of SMS by rural midwives to effectively record rural pregnancy rates.

mFHAST Implications: Evaluation metrics that may be applicable to further mFHAST use cases and studies include SMS transmission success rates, accuracy of reports, predictors of successful transmission and user satisfaction. 

From the PubMed article abstract: "Postpartum depression (PPD) is the most common medical problem among new mothers that can have a negative impact on infant health. Traditional treatments are often difficult for low-income mothers to complete, particularly given the numerous barriers families face."

mFHAST Implications: Methods for decreasing postpartum depression through use of SMS messages

From the article abstract: "As interest in mHealth (including Short Message Services or SMS) increases, it is important to assess potential benefits and limitations of this technology in improving interventions in resource-poor settings. The authors analyzed two case studies (early infant diagnosis of HIV and nutrition surveillance) of three projects in Malawi and Zambia using a conceptual framework that assesses the technical complexity of the programs, with and without the use of SMS technology."

mFHAST Implications: Opportunity for SMS to improve interventions within resource-poor settings

From the article abstract: "Trivalent influenza vaccine (TIV) has been recommended for pregnant women in Australia for more than a decade and funded since 2009, yet vaccination coverage remains low. Misperceptions of the safety of TIV in pregnancy have been identified as a major contributor to low vaccination rates. Ongoing safety monitoring with dissemination of results could help improve antenatal influenza vaccine uptake."

mFHAST Implications: Opportunity for use of SMS for pregnancy related vaccination adverse event reporting

From the Scandnavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports abstract: "The objectives of this prospective cohort study were to report the incidence, prevalence, and duration of traumatic and overuse injuries during a period of 2.5 years and to estimate the odds of injury types. In all, 1259 schoolchildren, aged 6-12, were surveyed each week with an automated mobile phone text message asking questions on the presence of any musculo-skeletal problems and participation in leisure-time sport."

mFHAST Implications: Potential for use of text messaging in health intervention surveys with youth for identification of injury.

From the article objectives:

To determine the difference in delivery success of health messages delivered through pushed SMS, pushed voice messages sent to personal phones, and voice messages retrieved from a community phone (“retrieved voice messaging”), as well as the difference in quality of the user experience.