CompletedNot Applicable

Frequency of Visual Impairment Among School Children and Effectiveness of mHealth Referral Reminder on Uptake of Referral Services

Pakistan320 participantsStarted 2024-10-21

Plain-language summary

This study tested whether mobile health (mHealth) tools can affect referral uptake among schoolchildren with vision problems.Visual impairment in children often goes untreated in low- and middle-income countries, even when detected during school screenings, because parents do not follow up on referral advice. In this randomized controlled trial, children aged 5-15 years from two government schools in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, were screened for vision problems using a smartphone-based application. Those identified with possible impairment were randomly assigned to one of two groups. The control group received the usual printed referral form, while the intervention group received the printed referral plus automated, multicomponent SMS reminders in the local language. These reminders included health promotion messages, a visual depiction of the child's vision, and practical instructions about how to reach the hospital. The main outcome was the proportion of referred children who attended the hospital within eight weeks. Secondary analysis examined whether referral uptake was linked with child and family characteristics such as age, sex, and parental education. This was a minimal-risk, school-based trial with 80 participants. The study was ethically approved by the Army Medical College Ethics Review Committee (NUMS). Findings are expected to provide new evidence on the usefulness of mobile phone-based reminders for improving eye health care among children in resource-limited settings.

Who can participate

Age range

5 Years – 15 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Participants will only be enrolled if they meet all eligibility criteria: * Age 5 to 15 years * Detected with visual impairment on screening, * Parent in possession of or have access to smartphone * Parents have ability to receive, read and understand an SMS Children may not enter the study if any of the following apply: * Children with known refractive error (myopia) * Children with spectacles * Children with apparent eye diseases (e.g. conjunctivitis, red eye, ocular trauma, trachoma, etc.) * Plan to travel outside the city in the next two months following enrollment

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Proportion of referred children who will attend the hospital within 8 weeks of referral in both groups

Timeframe: Follow up for 8 weeks on weekly basis after identification of visual impairment

Trial details

NCT IDNCT06616051

SponsorSyed Fawad Mashhadi

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2024-12-30

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Visual Impairment trials