Table 2 Behaviour change techniques used in the SMS text-messaging intervention
Behaviour change technique clustera | Text message contentb | Type of messagec |
|---|---|---|
Repetition and substitution | ||
 Habit formation | Taking your medicine at the same time every day can help you remember to take your pills regularly. | Weekly |
 Behaviour substitution | Please remember, if you can’t make your MEDICINES TIME&DATE, send someone you trust to pick-up your pills. We need your clinic card and their identification document. | Weekly |
 Behavioural rehearsal/practice | Planning ahead (counting out tomorrow’s pills today) can help you remember to take your pills. | Weekly |
 Generalization of a target behaviour | Your good health is important. Please try to do more exercise. Activities that make you sweat or your heart beat faster are good for you. | Weekly |
Natural consequences | ||
 Health consequences | Please tell us (DR&PHARMACY) if you think your high blood pills are making you feel unwell. Ask us about common side effects of your pills. | Weekly |
 Salience of consequences | Please don’t give yours meds to people who are not prescribed them. Giving other people pills can endanger their health. Ask them to please come to the clinic. | Weekly |
 Anticipated regret | Did you know untreated high blood (when you don’t take your pills) puts you at risk for heart disease? Please take your pills as directed. | Weekly |
Goals and planning | ||
 Action planning | Ask someone you trust to help you remember to take your medicine as directed. | Weekly |
 Problem solving | Please remember to come back to clinic if you run out of medicine before your next date. You can come even if it is not your date. | Weekly |
 Commitment | Please remember your high blood is with you always. Work with [CLINIC NAME] to stay healthy. Keep your clinic dates & take your medicine as directed. | Weekly |
 Goal setting (outcome) | Please remember your next MEDICINE PICK-UP DATE is on [DAY][DD/MM/YY] at [00:00]. | 48 h prior to scheduled appointment |
 Behavioural contract | Please remember your high blood can’t be cured. To keep healthy Please keep on with your pills, come on your booked clinic dates, exercise & eat healthy food | Weekly |
 Review of behaviour goals | Thanks for picking up your meds. Keeping on your pills & attending on your correct dates helps us serve you better. | 48 h post scheduled appointment |
Social support | ||
 Practical | Please be sure to tell the PHARMACY if you need to go away. We will give you a letter & extra pills so you won’t run out. | Weekly |
 General | Work with us to stay healthy. Learn about your condition & how to manage it. For more info ask us. | Weekly |
 Emotional | You are an important member of your community. Please keep trying with a healthy lifestyle. Please try to do more exercise. | Weekly |