Effects of Mobile Phone SMS to Improve Glycemic Control Among Patients With Type 2 Diabetes in Bangladesh: A Prospective, Parallel-Group, Randomized Controlled Trial

Mobile phone technologies have emerged as an essential tool for strengthening health systems and improving disease outcomes in many countries (1). In recent years, the government of Bangladesh and the World Health Organization have adopted information technologies for health in their strategic plans. However, data to support a successful model of mobile phone short message service (SMS) in diabetes management are scarce. In this trial, we assessed whether the addition of an automated SMS service to standard diabetes care would improve glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes. A total of 236 adult patients with type 2 diabetes (diagnosed within the previous 5 years) on oral medication therapy with access to SMS and attending the outpatient department of the Bangladesh Institute of Health Sciences in Dhaka, Bangladesh, were recruited (September 2013–August 2014) and randomly assigned 1:1 to SMS intervention and standard care groups. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews with a structured questionnaire, anthropometric measurements, and blood tests for …