Utility of semi-private messaging application (WhatsApp®) for Onconephrology education: a qualitative analysis of a 'mastermind' chat.
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ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Khashu S
PROVIDER: S-EPMC8967669 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Apr
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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Utility of semi-private messaging application (WhatsApp®) for Onconephrology education: a qualitative analysis of a 'mastermind' chat.
Khashu Simoni S Wanchoo Nitya N Finuf Kayla D KD Lapman Sebastian S Gudsoorkar Prakash P Jhaveri Kenar D KD
Clinical kidney journal 20211216 4
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Project description:BackgroundWorldwide, social media traffic increased following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Although the spread of COVID-19 content has been described for several social media platforms (eg, Twitter and Facebook), little is known about how such content is spread via private messaging platforms, such as WhatsApp (WhatsApp LLC).ObjectiveIn this study, we documented (1) how WhatsApp is used to transmit COVID-19 content, (2) the characteristics of WhatsApp users based on their usage patterns, and (3) how usage patterns link to COVID-19 concerns.MethodsWe used the experience sampling method to track day-to-day WhatsApp usage during the COVID-19 pandemic. For 1 week, participants reported each day the extent to which they had received, forwarded, or discussed COVID-19 content. The final data set comprised 924 data points, which were collected from 151 participants.ResultsDuring the weeklong monitoring process, most participants (143/151, 94.7%) reported at least 1 COVID-19-related use of WhatsApp. When a taxonomy was generated based on usage patterns, around 1 in 10 participants (21/151, 13.9%) were found to have received and shared a high volume of forwarded COVID-19 content, akin to super-spreaders identified on other social media platforms. Finally, those who engaged with more COVID-19 content in their personal chats were more likely to report having COVID-19-related thoughts throughout the day.ConclusionsOur findings provide a rare window into discourse on private messaging platforms. Such data can be used to inform risk communication strategies during the pandemic.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT04367363; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04367363.
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Project description:IntroductionMobile health interventions have the potential to promote risk factor management and lifestyle modification, and are a particularly attractive approach for scaling across healthcare systems with limited resources. We are conducting two randomised trials to evaluate the efficacy of text message-based health messages in improving secondary coronary heart disease (CHD) prevention among patients with or without diabetes.Methods and analysisThe Cardiovascular Health And Text Messaging (CHAT) Study and the CHAT-Diabetes Mellitus (CHAT-DM) Study are multicentre, single-blind, randomised controlled trials of text messaging versus standard treatment with 6 months of follow-up conducted in 37 hospitals throughout 17 provinces in China. The intervention group receives six text messages per week which target blood pressure control, medication adherence, physical activity, smoking cessation (when appropriate), glucose monitoring and lifestyle recommendations including diet (in CHAT-DM). The text messages were developed based on behavioural change techniques, using models such as the information-motivation-behavioural skills model, goal setting and provision of social support. A total sample size of 800 patients would be adequate for CHAT Study and sample size of 500 patients would be adequate for the CHAT-DM Study. In CHAT, the primary outcome is the change in systolic blood pressure (SBP) at 6 months. Secondary outcomes include a change in proportion of patients achieving a SBP <140 mm Hg, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), physical activity, medication adherence, body mass index (BMI) and smoking cessation. In CHAT-DM, the primary outcome is the change in glycaemic haemoglobin (HbA1C) at 6 months. Secondary outcomes include a change in the proportion of patients achieving HbA1C<7%, fasting blood glucose, SBP, LDL-C, BMI, physical activity and medication adherence.Ethics and disseminationThe central ethics committee at the China National Center for Cardiovascular Disease and the Yale University Institutional Review Board approved the CHAT and CHAT-DM studies. Results will be disseminated via usual scientific forums including peer-reviewed publications.Trial registration numberCHAT (NCT02888769) and CHAT-DM (NCT02883842); Pre-results.
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Project description:BackgroundOculocutaneous albinism is a congenital disorder that causes hypopigmentation of the skin, hair, and eyes due to a lack of melanin. People with albinism are at increased risk of developing skin complications, such as solar keratosis and skin cancers, leading to higher morbidity. As education is crucial in managing albinism, leveraging information technology, such as WhatsApp, can provide an effective intervention for digital health education.ObjectiveThis study aims to assess the impact of WhatsApp as a tool for providing health education among people with albinism.MethodsThe design of the study was interventional. The intervention consisted of weekly health education sessions conducted in a WhatsApp group for the duration of 4 weeks. The topics discussed were knowledge of albinism, sun protection practices, the use of sunscreen, and myths about albinism. They were all covered in 4 WhatsApp sessions held in 4 separate days. A web-based questionnaire was filled out before and after the intervention by the participants. Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the pre- and postknowledge scores. Spearman correlation was used to correlate data.ResultsThe mean age of the study participants was 28.28 (SD 11.57) years. The number of participants was 140 in the preintervention period and 66 in the postintervention period. A statistically significant increase in overall knowledge (P=.01), knowledge of sunscreen (P=.01), and knowledge of sun protection (P<.01) was observed following the intervention. Before the intervention, a positive correlation was observed between age (r=0.17; P=.03) and education level (r=0.19; P=.02) with participants' overall knowledge. However, after the intervention, there was no significant correlation between knowledge and age or education level. A percentage increase of 5.23% was observed in the overall knowledge scores following the intervention.ConclusionsWhatsApp is an effective tool for educating people with albinism and can act as an alternative to the conventional methods of health education. It shows promising outcomes irrespective of the health literacy level of people with albinism. This educational intervention can positively impact behavior change and translate to consistent sun protection practices. The limitations of this study include the possibility of social desirability bias and data security.
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