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CAN TEXT MESSAGING RESULTS REDUCE TIME TO TREATMENT OF CHLAMYDIA TRACHOMATIS?
Sex Transm Infect. 2008 Aug 22;
Authors: Lim EJ, Haar J, Morgan J
OBJECTIVE: To assess any impact of text messaging as the preferred method of communicating positive Chlamydia trachomatis test results to patients in an urban sexual health clinic. METHODS: Following the introduction of a text-messaging service to communicate positive Chlamydia trachomatis test results to patients, the time between test and treatment in 293 consecutive patients was compared to 303 historic controls. RESULTS: No significant difference was found in either median time to treatment for all patients (3 days in 2005, 4 days in 2007) or median time to treatment (both 7 days) for those not treated immediately. There was no significant difference in time to treatment between those using a landline or mobile phone. Mobile phone use was significantly higher in 2007. Overall, we treated more cases within 4 weeks in 2007 (98.6% c.f. 96%). CONCLUSIONS: The lack of difference in time to treatment showed the use of this technology is as effective as more traditional means of communication. The increase in cases treated within 4 weeks may reflect the significant increase in mobile phone use and improved ability to contact people, rather than simply the introduction of text messaging.
PMID: 18723584 PubMed – as supplied by publisher
