Incorporating SMS Reminders into a School Based STD Screening Program
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Lessons Learned: Incorpora.ng Text Message Reminders into a School Based STD Screening Program Veronica Whycoff, MSW DC Department of Health HIV/AIDS, Hepa..s, STD and TB Administra.on
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Data results and lessons learned from the inclusion of SMS reminders as an expansion of a school-based STD screening program. Presented by Veronica Whycoff from the DC Department of Health at YTH Live 2014 session "Advances in STD Diagnosis and Results."
Transcript of Incorporating SMS Reminders into a School Based STD Screening Program
Lessons Learned: Incorpora.ng Text Message Reminders into a School Based STD Screening Program
Veronica Whycoff, MSW DC Department of Health
HIV/AIDS, Hepa..s, STD and TB Administra.on
DC School Based STD Screening Program
• All DC Public High Schools
Par.cipate • In existence since 2009 • Opt out program • Urine based Gonorrhea and
Chlamydia screening • Results available within a week
over the phone • Op.on to received treatment at
school within 7-‐10 days
Chlamydia Rates by Age and Sex, 2011
Gonorrhea Rates by Age and Sex, 2011
Reported Chlamydia Cases by Year of Report and Age at Diagnosis, Washington, DC
Reported Gonorrhea Cases by Year of Report and Age at Diagnosis, Washington, DC
School Based STD Screening Program Timeline (Academic Years)
• Advocacy • Internal commitment
2006
• DOH Wide Buy in • Parents, Principals, Teacher buy in
2007 • Pilot • Real Talk Text Messaging 2008 Implementa.on
(22 schools) 2009
School Based Screening Program Timeline ( Academic Years)
• Full scale • Clinical provider partnership • HIV & Pregnancy Tes.ng • Text Messaging
2010 Added Peer Counseling 2011
Addi.onal text messaging at 3 weeks and 3 months
2012 HIV tes.ng in 10 schools 2013
DC School Based STD Screening Program Results
Text Messaging Campaign
• 84% of youth say text is their preferred method of communica.on
• 64% of youth screened provided a number for us to text
• 25% of those who called in and asked survey ques.ons state they called in because of text message
• In 2012 added 2 more text messages – 3 weeks –Don’t forget to get your partner tested – 3 months-‐ Retest!
Our Successes
HIV Tes.ng in Schools
Expanded text messaging
Increased treatment rates
Our Challenges
• Text messages added but was no connected to data collec.on opportunity
• Capacity( lack of man power, budget cuts, vacant posi.ons, interns and others used to staff program)
• Inconsistent data collec.on • Data collec.on is not always connected to the way we work ( data collec.on vs mee.ng the need)
What’s Next for Us?
• Matching the actions to the data( or tying our actions to data) – Text message 1 tied to results notification and survey collection – Text message 2 tied to partner referral – Text message 3 tied to 3 month follow up screening
• Matching the work to capacity – Realigning our team and partnerships – Dedicated time/person for technology add-ons – Interns as a compliment not an answer – Student health is where resources need to be concentrated
What’s Next for Us?
• Looking at new ways to work – Electronic Health Record/Patient Portal for results – Survey prompt when accessing results will let us know if youth
by pass it and will eliminate the issue of staff error – Phone counseling for high risk youth
• Allows us to counsel, refer and follow up ( closing the screen, treat, and re-screen loop)
– Resource and Referral app in the process of being developed by Education and Behavioral Health Dept.
Many Thanks to….
