The availability of internet and/or mobile phone technology (IMT) provides an opportunity to explore more practical approaches to collect and disseminate information related to diabetes prevention and control in cohort studies. However, the extent of use of IMT in cohort studies of high-risk populations is unclear. In the Jackson Heart Study (JHS), a community-based cohort study of cardiovascular disease among African Americans with an increased prevalence of diabetes, we evaluated the prevalence and demographic correlates of IMT use. As part of annual follow-up telephone interviews of JHS participants in 2017-2018, we conducted a survey on IMT use and examined prevalence and demographic correlates of IMT use. Of 3,810 JHS participants in annual follow-up interviews, 2,564 (67.3%) completed the IMT use survey, of whom 2,262 (88.2%) reported IMT use. Compared to non-users, IMT users were more likely to be men (37% vs. 26%), younger (mean age 70 vs. 81years), and to have attained high school or more years of education (89% vs. 57%) and middle-affluent income status (91% vs.78%) (Table 1). For a majority of JHS participants, it may be feasible to use IMT to conduct intensive interviews and pilot diabetes-related communications. For participants with more limited use of IMT, standard methods will continue to be needed and novel methods developed to capture and disseminate information on diabetes prevention and control.
P.R. Anugu: None. K.A. Valle: None. K. Winters: None. A. Correa: None.
Jackson State University (HHSN268201800013I); Tougaloo College (HHSN268201800014I); Mississippi State Department of Health (HHSN268201800015I); University of Mississippi Medical Center (HHSN268201800010I, HHSN268201800011I, HHSN268201800012I); National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute; National Institute for Minority Health and Health Disparities
