Abstract C74: Developing and implementing an mHealth intervention for cervical cancer prevention in Santiago, Chile
Authors: Gutierrez Javiera Martinez , Capurro Daniel , Ciampi Francis , Soto Mauricio , Momany Mackenzie C. , Cea Emilia , Mergudich Tania , Puschel Klaus 
Published: February 2019

Introduction: Cervical cancer is a serious public health problem. An estimated 270,000 women die every year from cervical cancer and more than 85% of these deaths take place in developing countries. Chile´s national cervical cancer program was created in 1987. Since then, and with the systematic implementation of cervical cancer screening through Papanicolau (Pap) smears, cervical cancer mortality rates have dropped significantly. Cancer screening rates, however, have stabilized in the last 10 years at approximately 59%. Additionally, most late-stage cervical cancers are diagnosed in low-socioeconomic-status (SES) Latinas. Mobile technologies may have use in improving health disparities due to their widespread availability. In Chile, more than 80% of low-SES people own a cell phone. Nevertheless, developing an effective mHealth intervention may require tailoring and adjusting of available technology in developing countries. The aim of this study was to describe key aspects of an mHealth intervention to be used in Latinas from an underserved area of Santiago, Chile.

Methods: We held 9 focus groups at three health care centers with Latinas between 25-64 years old and midwives. Focus groups were recorded, and transcribed verbatim. We analyzed and coded the data grouping findings into relevant themes. With these findings, we developed a customized mHealth intervention that is now being tested using a randomized controlled trial (RCT) in a vulnerable area of Santiago, Chile.

Results: Development: The results of our study revealed key aspects to consider for the final intervention: We asked about mode of delivery, content, frequency, and duration of the ideal intervention. Mode of delivery: Although younger women preferred texting and other “indirect” modes of communication, older women were not as savvy with reading texts--their preferred method of contact was a phone call. Content: Women agreed that messages needed to be clear and written in simple language. They would like the messages to have information about cervical cancer, as well as Pap smear availability at their health care centers. Frequency and duration of the intervention: Women mentioned the messages should be sent every week and no more than two times a week. They would like the messages to alternate being sent during weekends and weekday evenings to allow for sufficient time to read them. Previous studies had shown that a duration of 6 months would be effective to promote change in screening behavior. The final intervention was designed with the following characteristics: 1. Four months of text messages and two months of automated phone calls; 2. Twice a week on Wednesday and Sunday evenings; 3. Two types of messages: Information about cervical cancer and clinic hours, scheduling procedures, etc.

Implementation: We planned to deliver the text and phone messages using a custom web platform connected to a generic SMS gateway provider. Lack of close relations between two such providers and Chilean mobile carriers generated profound disruptions in the reliability with which messages were sent during testing. After an iterative trial-and-error we settled for our current provider, which is delivering messages for our clinical trial without major issues.

Conclusions: Developing and implementing an effective mHealth intervention requires tailoring according to cultural, socioeconomic, and educational characteristics of the population as well as knowledge of the technology available in every country. Transferring technologies proven easy to implement in developed countries is not as straightforward as it may seem. Our intervention is currently being tested through a RCT in a vulnerable population of Santiago, Chile. We hope to learn more about the implementation of such technologies in vulnerable populations, thus improving cancer screening rates across the country.

Citation Format: Javiera Martinez Gutierrez, Daniel Capurro, Francis Ciampi, Mauricio Soto, Mackenzie C. Momany, Emilia Cea, Tania Mergudich, Klaus Puschel. Developing and implementing an mHealth intervention for cervical cancer prevention in Santiago, Chile [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Tenth AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2017 Sep 25-28; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2018;27(7 Suppl):Abstract nr C74.