Producción CyT
Cancer screening: in the present, the future - Implementation of an mHealth intervention based on SMS messages (the ATICA strategy) to promote participation in breast cancer screening in Argentina
Congreso
Autoría:
Paolino, Melisa ; Sánchez Antelo, Victoria ; Correa, Silvina ; Furia, Anabel ; Lopez de Degani, Graciela ; Arrossi, SilvinaFecha:
2023Editorial y Lugar de Edición:
ICSNResumen *
Background In Argentina, approximately 6800 deaths are due to breast cancer and 22.000 new cases are diagnosed annually. The effectiveness of screening programs is related with achieving high screening coverage. SMS-based strategies have been proven effective to increase screening participation via reminders for different cancers, and in a variety of settings.1 In this project we evaluated the implementation of an mHealth intervention based on SMS messages (ATICA strategy) to promote participation in breast cancer screening among women aged 50 to 69 in the province of Santa Fe, Argentina. Objectives 1. To describe the reach and preliminary effectiveness of the strategy to increase breast cancer screening. 2. To assess acceptability and adoption among target women (acceptability) and local health professionals and decision-makers. Methods Mixed-methods study. Using a randomized controlled trial design, 268 Argentinian women aged 50 to 69 years were recruited from ten healthcare centers in Santa Fe, Argentina and randomly assigned to the intervention group (n=135) to receive up to 4 SMS messages inviting them to request an appointment for mammography (including a WhatsApp number to request it (figure 1) or the usual care control group (n=133). Outcome measures: proportion of women with mammography 45/105 days (after their inclusion in the study). We also evaluated acceptability and adoption through a telephone survey with women of the IG (n=73) and semi-structured interviews with stakeholders (professionals and decision-makers, n=16). Results Effectiveness: Higher percentages of mammography registration were observed in the IG: 13.3% of women of IG vs. 3.8% of women of CG registered mammography at day 45 (p=0.010). 19.3% of women in IG vs. 6.8% of women in the CG registered a mammography at day 105 after their inclusion in the study (p=0.002). Acceptability: 100% of women who recalled receiving the SMS (n=30), agreed with the statements "the SMS is a good channel of communication to promote breast cancer screening" and that "the SMS messages were useful to remind me to get the appointment". Adoption: all stakeholders highly agree with the future implementation of the ATICA strategy. This high acceptability was related to the recognition of a need for change to achieve greater participation in breast cancer screening. The ATICA strategy was perceived as compatible with the routine practice, easy to implement and with greater relative advantage in relation to the usual practice. Conclusions Preliminary results show that the ATICA strategy would be effective in increasing participation in breast cancer screening. The strategy is highly accepted by women. We found a high commitment of the stakeholders to work on the future implementation of the strategy. Información suministrada por el agente en SIGEVAPalabras Clave
CANCER CONTROLbreast cancershort text messagesIMPLEMENTION SCIENCE