eHealthNCT04256109
Women's Access to Mobile Phones and Willingness to Utilize mHealth Interventions for Oral Health Promotion in Egypt
An observational study of eHealth and mHealth, run by Ain Shams University at 1 site in Egypt.
Trial summary
In 2019, it was reported that there were 27.9 million smart phone users and 93.7 million phone subscribers in Egypt. This means that mHealth (which is the use of mobile phones in delivering health-care and public health services) could be a major asset to delivering oral health education to the secluded rural areas or… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older, women onlyHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- eHealth, mHealth, Oral Health
- How many people
- 541 participants
- Where
- 1 siteEgypt
- Study dates
- 11 Jan 2020to Oct 2021
- Phase
- Observational
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- Women only
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult, Older adult
Study population: Recruited from the outpatient clinics of Faculty of Dentistry, Ain Shams University and five primary healthcare centers located in Cairo and Giza governorates which are affiliated by Egyptian Ministry of Health.
Who may be able to join
- Egyptian women.
- Older than 18 years of age.
- Currently residing in Egypt.
- Mentally and medically fit to participate in the study.
Who cannot join
- Women who do not consent to participate in the study.
- Women seeking emergency dental treatment.
- Women who do not own or share a mobile phone. Their number will be reported by using a flow chart
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Egypt1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
Faculty of Dentistry, Ain Shams University
Cairo
Mariam Sharaf, Masters, +2 01068022877, mariamayman@dent.asu.edu.eg
About this study
Official title: Women's Access to Mobile Phones and Willingness to Utilize mHealth Interventions for Oral Health Promotion in Egypt: A Cross-Sectional Study
In 2019, it was reported that there were 27.9 million smart phone users and 93.7 million phone subscribers in Egypt. This means that mHealth (which is the use of mobile phones in delivering health-care and public health services) could be a major asset to delivering oral health education to the secluded rural areas or the more under privileged remote areas in the future. However, in order to employ mHealth effectively, it's essential to estimate the percentage of users who, not only have access to mobile technology, but are also willing to utilize mHealth interventions. It is also of great importance to understand the patients' preferences regarding its use. This is in order to tailor an intervention that satisfies their needs for oral health related services. Therefore the aim of this study is to determine the access of Egyptian women to mobile phones, as well as their willingness to utilize mHealth interventions for oral health promotion.
Read the detailed description
Dental caries and periodontal diseases contribute greatly to the global burden of oral diseases. Unfortunately, this is more observed in the developing countries. This is mainly attributed to the shortage of oral health personnel that Africa suffers from, which results in oral health services being offered mostly to central and urban areas of Africa.
Women, in particular, suffer from health inequalities. Those inequalities are mainly related to socioeconomic status and the geographic region in which they reside.
A study conducted in Egypt in 2014 underlined the oral health inequalities present within the country. This study emphasized the need for oral health promotion plans which are specially directed towards individuals with low-income. That is to provide health equity in terms of access to oral health-care services and quality treatment for all the Egyptian population.
One way to address this problem is the use of Electronic health or "eHealth". mHealth, which is a subset of eHealth, is the use of mobile phones to deliver health-care services through short messaging services (SMS), smart phone applications and voice calls. Several studies highlighted that mHealth can be an effective tool in delivering public health services in a cost effective way and without any geographic barriers.
The multitasking capabilities of mobile phones provide a great chance for chronic disease prevention and improvement as it offers remote health education. Moreover, it provides the patients with increased care and allows for self-management. Mobile phones can also be used as reminders for medications and appointments and allow for immediate contact between the doctor and the patient. This way, mHealth offers uninterrupted care, close monitoring to the patients and rapid response from the doctors' side, this is of course regarded as a more comfortable approach to the patients.
The challenge still lies in the adoption and acceptance of mHealth by the patients, which is controlled by the user's willingness to utilize this new technology. This problem is even more observed in the developing countries. Although mHealth interventions were previously attempted to improve oral health, none were implemented in Egypt. This is the first study to explore the potential use of mHealth for oral health promotion in Egypt.
Study procedure:
- After a comprehensive literature review using electronic databases (PubMed and Web of Science), studies assessing the accessibility to mobile phones, ability to use mobile phones, willingness to utilize mHealth interventions, usage patterns of mobile phones, preferences regarding mHealth, barriers and motivators for participating in mHealth were identified.
- Using nine similar studies, a structured English language interviewer-administered questionnaire was developed after modifying their original questionnaires to serve the aim of our study and ensure culture appropriateness.
- Forward translation of the English questionnaire into Arabic language was done .
- One well-trained investigator will conduct all interviews.
- Conditions
- eHealth, mHealth, Oral Health
- Keywords
- eHealth, mHealth, Health promotion, Rural area
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Percentage of women in Egypt who have access to mobile phones.
Arabic language interviewer-administered questionnaire
Measured: January 2020-June 2020
Percentage of women in Egypt who are willing to utilize mHealth interventions for oral health promotion.
Arabic language interviewer-administered questionnaire
Measured: January 2020-June 2020
Secondary outcomes (2)
Mobile phones' usage patterns by women in Egypt.
Arabic language interviewer-administered questionnaire
Measured: January 2020-July 2020
Percentage of different methods preferred by women in Egypt for receiving mHealth services
Arabic language interviewer-administered questionnaire
Measured: January 2020-July 2020
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted5 Feb 2020
- Study start11 Jan 2020
- Primary completionSep 2021 (estimated)
- Study completionOct 2021 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (8)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for eHealthStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Ain Shams UniversityThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Observational
- Observational model
- Other
- Time perspective
- Cross-sectional
- Enrolment
- 541 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Ain Shams University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Mariam Ayman Amin Sharaf, Ain Shams University
- Investigators
- Mariam Sharaf, Masters, Principal investigator, Ain Shams UniversityAmira Badran, Doctorate, Principal investigator, Ain Shams UniversityReham Abou ElFadl, Doctorate, Principal investigator, Ain Shams University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT04256109
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 827
- Status last verified
- Mar 2021
- First submitted
- 3 Feb 2020
- Last updated
- 26 Mar 2021
- Results posted
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Undecided
Publications
Mangin D, Parascandalo J, Khudoyarova O, Agarwal G, Bismah V, Orr S. Multimorbidity, eHealth and implications for equity: a cross-sectional survey of patient perspectives on eHealth. BMJ Open. 2019 Feb 12;9(2):e023731. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2018-023731.
PubMed 30760515Yamin F, Kaewkungwal J, Singhasivanon P, Lawpoolsri S. Women's Perceptions of Using Mobile Phones for Maternal and Child Health Support in Afghanistan: Cross-Sectional Survey. JMIR Mhealth Uhealth. 2018 Apr 10;6(4):e76. doi: 10.2196/mhealth.9504.
PubMed 29636317Treskes RW, Koole M, Kauw D, Winter MM, Monteiro M, Dohmen D, Abu-Hanna A, Schijven MP, Mulder BJ, Bouma BJ, Schuuring MJ. Adults with congenital heart disease: ready for mobile health? Neth Heart J. 2019 Mar;27(3):152-160. doi: 10.1007/s12471-019-1237-2.
PubMed 30758718James DC, Harville C 2nd, Whitehead N, Stellefson M, Dodani S, Sears C. Willingness of African American Women to Participate in e-Health/m-Health Research. Telemed J E Health. 2016 Mar;22(3):191-7. doi: 10.1089/tmj.2015.0071. Epub 2015 Aug 27.
PubMed 26313323van den Houten MML, Spruijt S, Fokkenrood HJP, Scheltinga MRM, Teijink JAW. User Preferences for Mobile Health Interventions: A Survey among Intermittent Claudication Patients and Their Physical Therapists. Ann Vasc Surg. 2018 Jan;46:249-256. doi: 10.1016/j.avsg.2017.08.020. Epub 2017 Sep 8.
PubMed 28893710Cormick G, Ciganda A, Cafferata ML, Ripple MJ, Sosa-Estani S, Buekens P, Belizan JM, Althabe F. Text message interventions for follow up of infants born to mothers positive for Chagas disease in Tucuman, Argentina: a feasibility study. BMC Res Notes. 2015 Sep 29;8:508. doi: 10.1186/s13104-015-1498-9.
PubMed 26419230James DCS, Harville C 2nd. Smartphone Usage, Social Media Engagement, and Willingness to Participate in mHealth Weight Management Research Among African American Women. Health Educ Behav. 2018 Jun;45(3):315-322. doi: 10.1177/1090198117714020. Epub 2017 Jun 13.
PubMed 28606004Marhefka SL, Turner D, Lockhart E. Understanding Women's Willingness to Use e-Health for HIV-Related Services: A Novel Application of the Technology Readiness and Acceptance Model to a Highly Stigmatized Medical Condition. Telemed J E Health. 2019 Jun;25(6):511-518. doi: 10.1089/tmj.2018.0066. Epub 2019 Jan 18.
PubMed 30074862
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 26 Mar 2021. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Women's Access to Mobile Phones and Willingness to Utilize mHealth Interventions for Oral Health Promotion in Egypt: A Cross-Sectional Study
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT04256109
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 827
- Conditions
- eHealth, mHealth, Oral Health
- Keywords
- eHealth, mHealth, Health promotion, Rural area
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Unknown status
- Enrolment
- 541 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Ain Shams UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 11 Jan 2020 (actual)
- Primary completion
- Sep 2021 (estimated)
- Study completion
- Oct 2021 (estimated)
- First posted
- 5 Feb 2020 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
In 2019, it was reported that there were 27.9 million smart phone users and 93.7 million phone subscribers in Egypt. This means that mHealth (which is the use of mobile phones in delivering health-care and public health services) could be a major asset to delivering oral health education to the secluded rural areas or the more under privileged remote areas in the future. However, in order to employ mHealth effectively, it's essential to estimate the percentage of users who, not only have access to mobile technology, but are also willing to utilize mHealth interventions. It is also of great importance to understand the patients' preferences regarding its use. This is in order to tailor an intervention that satisfies their needs for oral health related services. Therefore the aim of this study is to determine the access of Egyptian women to mobile phones, as well as their willingness to utilize mHealth interventions for oral health promotion.
Detailed description
Dental caries and periodontal diseases contribute greatly to the global burden of oral diseases. Unfortunately, this is more observed in the developing countries. This is mainly attributed to the shortage of oral health personnel that Africa suffers from, which results in oral health services being offered mostly to central and urban areas of Africa.
Women, in particular, suffer from health inequalities. Those inequalities are mainly related to socioeconomic status and the geographic region in which they reside.
A study conducted in Egypt in 2014 underlined the oral health inequalities present within the country. This study emphasized the need for oral health promotion plans which are specially directed towards individuals with low-income. That is to provide health equity in terms of access to oral health-care services and quality treatment for all the Egyptian population.
One way to address this problem is the use of Electronic health or "eHealth". mHealth, which is a subset of eHealth, is the use of mobile phones to deliver health-care services through short messaging services (SMS), smart phone applications and voice calls. Several studies highlighted that mHealth can be an effective tool in delivering public health services in a cost effective way and without any geographic barriers.
The multitasking capabilities of mobile phones provide a great chance for chronic disease prevention and improvement as it offers remote health education. Moreover, it provides the patients with increased care and allows for self-management. Mobile phones can also be used as reminders for medications and appointments and allow for immediate contact between the doctor and the patient. This way, mHealth offers uninterrupted care, close monitoring to the patients and rapid response from the doctors' side, this is of course regarded as a more comfortable approach to the patients.
The challenge still lies in the adoption and acceptance of mHealth by the patients, which is controlled by the user's willingness to utilize this new technology. This problem is even more observed in the developing countries. Although mHealth interventions were previously attempted to improve oral health, none were implemented in Egypt. This is the first study to explore the potential use of mHealth for oral health promotion in Egypt.
Study procedure:
- After a comprehensive literature review using electronic databases (PubMed and Web of Science), studies assessing the accessibility to mobile phones, ability to use mobile phones, willingness to utilize mHealth interventions, usage patterns of mobile phones, preferences regarding mHealth, barriers and motivators for participating in mHealth were identified.
- Using nine similar studies, a structured English language interviewer-administered questionnaire was developed after modifying their original questionnaires to serve the aim of our study and ensure culture appropriateness.
- Forward translation of the English questionnaire into Arabic language was done .
- One well-trained investigator will conduct all interviews.
Study design
- Observational model
- Other
- Time perspective
- Cross-sectional
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- Female only
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
- Study population
- Recruited from the outpatient clinics of Faculty of Dentistry, Ain Shams University and five primary healthcare centers located in Cairo and Giza governorates which are affiliated by Egyptian Ministry of Health.
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Egyptian women.
- Older than 18 years of age.
- Currently residing in Egypt.
- Mentally and medically fit to participate in the study.
Key exclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Women who do not consent to participate in the study.
- Women seeking emergency dental treatment.
- Women who do not own or share a mobile phone. Their number will be reported by using a flow chart
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Primary outcome
Percentage of women in Egypt who have access to mobile phones.
Time frame: January 2020-June 2020
Arabic language interviewer-administered questionnaire
Percentage of women in Egypt who are willing to utilize mHealth interventions for oral health promotion.
Time frame: January 2020-June 2020
Arabic language interviewer-administered questionnaire
2 secondary outcomes
Mobile phones' usage patterns by women in Egypt.
Time frame: January 2020-July 2020
Percentage of different methods preferred by women in Egypt for receiving mHealth services
Time frame: January 2020-July 2020
Results and safety
Results are not available in the source record.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 26 Mar 2021.
- Background: PubMed 30760515Mangin D, Parascandalo J, Khudoyarova O, Agarwal G, Bismah V, Orr S. Multimorbidity, eHealth and implications for equity: a cross-sectional survey of patient perspectives on eHealth. BMJ Open. 2019 Feb 12;9(2):e023731. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2018-023731.
- Background: PubMed 29636317Yamin F, Kaewkungwal J, Singhasivanon P, Lawpoolsri S. Women's Perceptions of Using Mobile Phones for Maternal and Child Health Support in Afghanistan: Cross-Sectional Survey. JMIR Mhealth Uhealth. 2018 Apr 10;6(4):e76. doi: 10.2196/mhealth.9504.
- Background: PubMed 30758718Treskes RW, Koole M, Kauw D, Winter MM, Monteiro M, Dohmen D, Abu-Hanna A, Schijven MP, Mulder BJ, Bouma BJ, Schuuring MJ. Adults with congenital heart disease: ready for mobile health? Neth Heart J. 2019 Mar;27(3):152-160. doi: 10.1007/s12471-019-1237-2.
- Background: PubMed 26313323James DC, Harville C 2nd, Whitehead N, Stellefson M, Dodani S, Sears C. Willingness of African American Women to Participate in e-Health/m-Health Research. Telemed J E Health. 2016 Mar;22(3):191-7. doi: 10.1089/tmj.2015.0071. Epub 2015 Aug 27.
- Background: PubMed 28893710van den Houten MML, Spruijt S, Fokkenrood HJP, Scheltinga MRM, Teijink JAW. User Preferences for Mobile Health Interventions: A Survey among Intermittent Claudication Patients and Their Physical Therapists. Ann Vasc Surg. 2018 Jan;46:249-256. doi: 10.1016/j.avsg.2017.08.020. Epub 2017 Sep 8.
- Background: PubMed 26419230Cormick G, Ciganda A, Cafferata ML, Ripple MJ, Sosa-Estani S, Buekens P, Belizan JM, Althabe F. Text message interventions for follow up of infants born to mothers positive for Chagas disease in Tucuman, Argentina: a feasibility study. BMC Res Notes. 2015 Sep 29;8:508. doi: 10.1186/s13104-015-1498-9.
- Background: PubMed 28606004James DCS, Harville C 2nd. Smartphone Usage, Social Media Engagement, and Willingness to Participate in mHealth Weight Management Research Among African American Women. Health Educ Behav. 2018 Jun;45(3):315-322. doi: 10.1177/1090198117714020. Epub 2017 Jun 13.
- Background: PubMed 30074862Marhefka SL, Turner D, Lockhart E. Understanding Women's Willingness to Use e-Health for HIV-Related Services: A Novel Application of the Technology Readiness and Acceptance Model to a Highly Stigmatized Medical Condition. Telemed J E Health. 2019 Jun;25(6):511-518. doi: 10.1089/tmj.2018.0066. Epub 2019 Jan 18.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Undecided
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Mariam Sharaf, Masters principal investigator
Ain Shams University
Amira Badran, Doctorate principal investigator
Ain Shams University
Reham Abou ElFadl, Doctorate principal investigator
Ain Shams University
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
An observational study of eHealth and mHealth, run by Ain Shams University at 1 site in Egypt.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 4 inclusion and 3 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: status not confirmed, as of the sponsor's last update on 26 Mar 2021. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Egypt. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
Results are not available in the source record.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Mariam Sharaf, Masters (+2 01068022877, mariamayman@dent.asu.edu.eg), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Percentage of women in Egypt who have access to mobile phones. (time frame: January 2020-June 2020). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT04256109, which also lists 8 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 26 Mar 2021.