Use and perceptions towards information and communication technologies in patients with diabetes in a peruvian public hospital

Abstract

Diabetes is a global health problem with a growing number of individuals with diabetes mellitus in the world. Information and communication technologies (ICT) could play an important role in this group of patients. Objective. To report the use and perceptions regarding ICT in patients with diabetes. Material and methods. During August 2008, previously validated surveys were applied to patients with diabetes attending a national hospital in Peru. Results. Two hundred patients with diabetes were surveyed (median: 60 years old, 78.5% women). Most of them never used a computer (89.5%), E-mail (90%), Internet (92%), or chat (91.5%). Most of the participants (91.5%) never sought health information on the Internet. forty nine percent of participants make and/or receive calls using cell phones at least once a week. However, most of them (84.5% and 67%) never have sent or received text messages, respectively. Almost all of participants would like to receive information about diabetes care. Most of them (70.5% and 61.5%) expressed their interest to participate in a program to support their diabetes using cell phones and the Internet, respectively. Conclusions. Besides use of ICT was relatively low, the perception towards a system or a program using cell phones or the Internet for diabetes support is positive. It is necessary to further explore the reasons why patients do not use cell phones and/or the Internet, and to evaluate the feasibility of ICT interventions for better diabetes care.