Background
Stroke is a major cause of disability and death around the world, especially in poorer countries. Many people with high blood pressure and diabetes do not manage their conditions well. In Nigeria, less than 50% of patients take their medications as prescribed. This study looks at whether sending text message reminders can help patients stick to their medication and improve their knowledge about preventing strokes.
Methodology
We conducted a study with 150 adults diagnosed with high blood pressure and/or diabetes. Half of the participants received regular text message reminders about their medications and healthy lifestyle choices, while the other half received regular care only. We measured changes in medication adherence, knowledge about stroke prevention, and overall quality of life.
Results
Of the patients, 90% had high blood pressure and about 21% had diabetes. The group receiving text messages had a 14.7% improvement in medication adherence, compared to just 2.7% in the control group. However, this difference was not statistically significant. The text message intervention significantly improved participants’ knowledge about preventing strokes but did not significantly affect their self-rated health scores. Factors like motivation and culture may have influenced these results.
Conclusion
Text message reminders improved knowledge about stroke prevention but had a limited effect on medication adherence. To enhance medication adherence, it is important to consider cultural, behavioral, and economic factors. This text message approach could be a valuable tool in healthcare, especially in areas with limited resources.
Clinical Application
For clinics and patients, the following actions can be taken based on the trial data:
- Define Measurable Outcomes: Set clear goals for improving medication adherence and knowledge of stroke prevention.
- Select AI Tools: Choose AI solutions that fit the specific needs of clinical practice.
- Implement Step by Step: Start with a pilot project to track results and assess real-world impact.
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