May 13, 2011
By Richard McCormack

This might sound like an advertising slogan Ringaz readers but recent medical research has shown that this claim does indeed have some veracity to it.

A recent medical case study published in the medical journal, The Lancet, has revealed a definite positive effect of mobile SMS on patient’s antiretroviral adherence.

Researchers have shown a clear and direct link between using a mobile phone and improving the lives of HIV infected persons. According to the African study, simple messages sent to HIV infected people, like a “How are you?” can increase the chances of patients suffering from the infection to properly follow their medication course.

Improved life and health through SMS

This means that if patients follow the course properly, their chances of an improved life and staying healthy improve drastically. Locally, in SA for example, an SMS message campaign last year promoting HIV/AIDS awareness resulted in nearly a tripling of call volume to a local HIV/AIDS helpline and encouraged patients to take their medication on a regular basis.

According to Dr Richard Lester ,who published the Lancet article, the reason, why messages on the mobile help is because in order to keep the HIV virus dormant among people, it is very important for patients to be medicated properly and undergo the antiretroviral treatment to keep their body from building resistance to medications.

However, treatment is tough in the developing world, as food shortages and poor medical treatment are a major reason behind people not following up on medications. As a result it is vital that patients are reminded to take their medication and this is where mobile SMS support helps. Patients in the intervention group received weekly SMS messages from a clinic nurse and were required to respond within 48 hours.

The findings of the research study showed patients who received SMS support had significantly improved ART adherence and rates of viral suppression compared with the control group who did not receive SMS reminders.

Adherence to ART was reported in 168 of 273 patients receiving the SMS intervention compared with 132 of 265 in the control group. Suppressed viral loads were reported in 156 of 273 patients in the SMS group and 128 of 265 in the control group,

The study concluded that mobile phones might be effective tools to improve patient outcomes in resource-limited settings.

In addition there are other innovative medical mobile applications for handsets being developed globally and locally like applications that can take your blood pressure and check your heart rate.

Afridoctor for example is available on Nokia’s Ovi Store and is Africa’s first personal mobile health clinic.

You can submit photos of your ailments and receive advice from a panel of professionals or use the mapping feature to find doctors, clinics and all health industry related services nearby. The emergency feature notifies next of kin of your distress and location. Features include symptom checkers, first-aid information, health calculators and quizzes. Afridoctor can help make healthcare affordable and accessible.

There is also Health Plus Free available from the Store. This application allows you to keep track on your and your family’s health all in one application! Enter your or family member’s daily / periodic test readings in the Application and you and your doctor can analyze the users’ test history accurately. You can also view the graphical presentation and monitor the progress of your health. Symptoms & Useful tips are also included to help you keep the readings in control and improve health!

What are your suggestions for the most useful medical application on a mobile device Ringaz readers? Send us your ideas and comments.