Does a text messaging intervention improve knowledge, attitudes and practice regarding iodine deficiency and iodized salt consumption?

Abstract

Objective To determine the effectiveness of implementation of a prevention programme via mobile phone text messaging in enhancing knowledge, attitudes and practice concerning iodine deficiency and iodized salt consumption. Design In a randomized controlled trial, participants were subjected to a brief tele-educational support regarding iodine deficiency and the importance of iodized salt consumption. The intervention group received daily text messages via mobile phone for 6 weeks. Knowledge, attitude and practice scores, urinary iodine concentration and salt iodine content were assessed at baseline and 8 weeks after the intervention. Setting Participants were recruited from health-care centres in Tehran, the capital city of Iran. Subjects For the present study 205 females aged ≥18 years were randomly assigned to the intervention (n 95) and control (n 110) groups. Results A significant difference was found in median knowledge scores between the intervention and control groups at follow-up (P = 0·004). There was also a significant difference in median attitude scores between the intervention and control groups (P = 0·02). The intervention group did not differ significantly in median practice score, urinary iodine concentration and salt iodine content from the control group. Conclusions Text messaging interventions are effective in improving individuals' knowledge and attitudes regarding preventive health-care topics. Copyright © 2012 The Authors.