SMS STI: A Review of the Uses of Mobile Phone Text Messaging in Sexual Health
Abstract
Short messaging service (SMS) (a.k.a. text messaging) is a fast, low cost and popular mode of communication among young people, and these advantages can be used in a variety of ways in the field of sexual health. This paper reviews the current published and grey literature and discusses applications of SMS in sexual health and the evidence base for their effectiveness. Examples of uses of SMS in sexual health include: communication between sexual health clinics and patients, partner notification and contact tracing, contraception reminders and sexual health promotion and education. However, although SMS has been applied in many ways to improve sexual health and there is some evidence of its effectiveness, very few of the applications described in this article have been evaluated. As SMS is likely to become more and more commonly used for sexual health purposes, evaluation of its benefits and effectiveness is essential.
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An estimated 98% of cell phones worldwide have text message capabilities.
“An estimated 98% of cell phones worldwide have text message capabilities, but text messaging usage rates vary by age, culture, and country (3, 28, 30).”
From Text messaging as a tool for behavior change in disease prevention and management (2010) · cites this paper as [3]
Text messaging is the most widely available and frequently used mobile data service.
“Text messaging is of particular interest in this review because of the unique promise of mHealth—it is the most widely available and frequently used mobile data service (3, 30).”
From Text messaging as a tool for behavior change in disease prevention and management (2010) · cites this paper as [3]
Mobile phones have had a considerable impact in developing countries.
“Mobile phones have had a considerable impact in developing countries (3, 5, 6).”
From Text messaging as a tool for behavior change in disease prevention and management (2010) · cites this paper as [3]
Ninety-five percent of countries have mobile phone networks, and most of these have more mobile phone than landline subscriptions.
“Ninety-five percent of countries in the world have mobile phone networks, and the majority of these countries have more mobile phone than landline subscriptions (2, 3).”
From Text messaging as a tool for behavior change in disease prevention and management (2010) · cites this paper as [3]
Millions of people in Africa and Asia who never had traditional phone communication now use mobile phones regularly.
“Millions of people across Africa and Asia who never had access to traditional phone communication now use mobile phones on a regular basis (3, 5, 8).”
From Text messaging as a tool for behavior change in disease prevention and management (2010) · cites this paper as [3]
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References 17 · Cited by 293
- Authors
- Lim, M. S. C., Hocking, J. S., Hellard, M. E., & Aitken, C. K.
- Affiliations
- Burnet Institute (AU)
- Venue
- International Journal of STD & AIDS
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2008-05
- Volume
- 19
- Issue
- 5
- Pages
- 287-290
- ISSN
- 0956-4624 (ISSN-L)
- 1758-1052
- OpenAlex
- W2015742196
- Cited by
- 293
- References
- 17
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 9 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 7 · 2021: 10 · 2020: 7 · 2019: 18 · 2018: 18 · 2017: 18 · 2016: 19 · 2015: 33 · 2014: 29 · 2013: 36 · 2012: 33
- FWCI
- 2.94
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- International Journal of STD & AIDS (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Mobile Health and mHealth Applications
- Social Sciences › Health › Social Media in Health Education
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health
- Keywords
- short message service, text messaging, mobile telephony, sexual health, partner notification, contact tracing, sexual health promotion, health education, youth, effectiveness evaluation
- MeSH terms
- Female, Health Promotion, Humans, Male, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Cell Phone
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