USING TEXT MESSAGING TO CONTACT DIFFICULT-TO-REACH STUDY PARTICIPANTS/KHARBANDA ET AL. RESPOND

In our study "Safe Point," we pilot-tested a program that trained secondary exchangers- methamphetamine injectors who frequent our syringe exchange program and regularly provide syringes to others-to be peer educators who delivered HIV risk reduction messages to methamphetamine-injecting recipients who do not regularly attend syringe exchange programs. [...] study staff kept text messages sent to participants generic to maintain confidentiality (e.g., "Please contact Susie at [phone number]"), and participants did not report confidentiality concerns. Elyse Olshen Kharbanda, MD, MPH Melissa S. Stockwell, MD, MPH Harrison W. Fox, MPH Vaughn I. Rickert, PsyD About the Authors Elyse Olshen Kharbanda and Melissa S. Stockwell are with the Division of General Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York City, NY, and the Heilbrunn Department of Population and Family Health, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York City.