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Table 1 Health educative text messages and appointment Short Message Service (SMS) reminders

From: Text messages to increase attendance to follow-up cervical cancer screening appointments among HPV-positive Tanzanian women (Connected2Care): study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

Health educative text messages

 

Hello! We would like to wish you a good day.

The most common signs of cervical cancer are vaginal bleeding in between your periods or contact bleeding, for example after sexual intercourse. Another sign can be unusual discharge from the vagina. If you experience any health problems, it is important to visit your health clinic even before your next appointment. Thank you for reading our message.

 

Hello! We would like to wish you a good day.

Often women cannot feel cervical cancer and it shows no signs at an early stage. Therefore, it is important to go to screening even though you do not feel sick or have symptoms of cervical cancer. When cervical cancer is found at an early stage it can get treated. Thank you for reading our message.

 

Hello! We are here to help you.

Women who have Human Papillomavirus can still have sexual intercourse with their partner. Most often the body gets rid of the infection on its own. The most common signs of cervical cancer are vaginal bleeding in between your periods or contact bleeding, for example after sexual intercourse. Another sign can be unusual discharge from the vagina. When you go to screening, the nurse can check and see if your cervix looks healthy. Thank you for reading our message.

 

Appointment SMS reminders

 

Hello!

It is time for your screening appointment. Go to your health clinic tomorrow. When you go to your screening appointment it will help you to stay healthy and free of cervical cancer. We are here to help you. Thank you for reading our message.

 

Hello!

You had a screening appointment 1 week ago. You are always welcome at the health clinic at any time and get screened for cervical cancer. When you go and get checked it will help you to stay healthy and free of cancer. It is important that you stay healthy for you and your family’s sake. Screening does not cost you anything. Thank you for receiving our messages. This is the last message. Thank you very much.