Development of automated text-message reminder system to improve uptake of childhood vaccination in North-West, Ethiopia

Mekonnen, Zeleke; Hussien, Fedlu Nurhussien; Tilahun, Binyam; Gelaye, Kassahun Alemu; Mamuye, Adane

doi:10.5210/ojphi.v11i2.10244

Cited by 14 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 24 publications

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“…The mobile text message reminders were developed and sent in Amharic and English languages for all consecutive vaccination appointments of infants. 33 Therefore, this qualitative study aimed to explore the acceptability, potential barriers, and facilitators to the implementation of mobile phone text message reminder system for child vaccination in north-west, Ethiopia.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Acceptability, Barriers and Facilitators of Mobile Text Message Reminder System Implementation in Improving Child Vaccination: A Qualitative Study in Northwest Ethiopia

Mekonnen

Gelaye

Were

et al. 2021

JMDH

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Background Mobile phone text message-based mHealth interventions have shown promise in improving health service delivery. Despite the promising findings at a small scale and few contexts, implementing new technologies as part of changes to health care services is inherently challenging. Though there is a potential to introduce mHealth initiatives to health systems of developing countries, existing evidence on the barriers and facilitators of implementation in different contexts is not adequate. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the acceptability, barriers and facilitators of implementing mobile text message reminder system for child vaccination in Ethiopia. Methods This study applied a phenomenological study design. The study was conducted in north-west, Ethiopia between July 28 and August 19, 2020. A total of 23 participants were purposively selected for the in-depth and key informant interviews. We used an interview guide to collect data and audio-records of interviews were transcribed verbatim. Coding was done to identify patterns and thematic analysis was conducted using ATLAS ti7 software. Results The findings indicated that mothers were receptive to mobile text message reminders for their child’s vaccination. Low mobile phone ownership, access to mobile network, access to electricity and illiteracy among the target population were identified as barriers that would affect implementation. Confidentiality and security-related issues are not barriers to implementation of text message reminders for child vaccination service. Facilitators for implementation include stakeholder collaboration, providing orientation/training to users, and willingness to pay by clients. Conclusion In this study, using mobile phone text message reminders for child vaccination services are acceptable by clients. Barriers identified were related to inadequate ICT infrastructure and other technical issues. Addressing the potential barriers and leveraging the existing opportunities could optimize the implementation in resource-limited settings. Before actual implementation, program implementers should also consider providing orientation to users on the proposed mHealth program.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Acceptability, Barriers and Facilitators of Mobile Text Message Reminder System Implementation in Improving Child Vaccination: A Qualitative Study in Northwest Ethiopia

Mekonnen

Gelaye

Were

et al. 2021

JMDH

Self Cite

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“…Participants in the usual care group used vaccination cards and were informed of the due date of the next vaccination schedule verbally by health care providers working in health facilities during the facility visit. For the intervention group, a computerized text message reminder system was designed and developed for this particular study considering the local context by the eHealthLab Ethiopia research team [ 85 ]. The computerized text message reminder system has 2 components: a web-based application for client registration and automatic reminder scheduling ( Multimedia Appendix 1 ) and a mobile SMS app for sending appointment reminders ( Multimedia Appendix 2 ).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Based on the findings from baseline assessments in the study area on mothers’ intentions and preferences to use text message reminders [ 84 ], mobile phone text messages were developed and delivered to users both in Amharic and English languages ( Multimedia Appendix 2 ). The detailed development process of the automated reminder system and its function is described in a separate publication [ 85 ].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of Mobile Phone Text Message Reminders on the Completion and Timely Receipt of Routine Childhood Vaccinations: Superiority Randomized Controlled Trial in Northwest Ethiopia

Mekonnen¹,

Gelaye²,

Were³

et al. 2021

JMIR Mhealth Uhealth

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Background Nonattendance at vaccination appointments is a big challenge for health workers as it is difficult to track routine vaccination schedules. In Ethiopia, 3 out of 10 children have incomplete vaccination and the timely receipt of the recommended vaccines is low. Thus, innovative strategies are required to reach the last mile where mobile technology can be effectively utilized to achieve better compliance. Despite this promising technology, little is known about the role of text message–based mobile health interventions in improving the complete and timely receipt of routine childhood vaccinations in Ethiopia. Objective This trial aimed to determine the effect of mobile phone text message reminders on the completion and timely receipt of routine childhood vaccinations in northwest Ethiopia. Methods A two-arm, parallel, superiority randomized controlled trial was conducted in 9 health facilities in northwest Ethiopia. A sample size of 434 mother-infant pairs was considered in this trial. Randomization was applied in selected health facilities during enrollment with a 1:1 allocation ratio by using sealed and opaque envelopes. Participants assigned to the intervention group received mobile phone text message reminders one day before the scheduled vaccination visits. Owing to the nature of the intervention, blinding of participants was not possible. Primary outcomes of full and timely completion of vaccinations were measured objectively at 12 months. A two-sample test of proportion and log-binomial regression analyses were used to compare the outcomes between the study groups. A modified intention-to-treat analysis approach was applied and a one-tailed test was reported, considering the superiority design of the trial. Results A total of 426 participants were included for the analysis. We found that a higher proportion of infants in the intervention group received Penta-3 (204/213, 95.8% vs 185/213, 86.9%, respectively; P<.001), measles (195/213, 91.5% vs 169/213, 79.3%, respectively; P<.001), and full vaccination (176/213, 82.6% vs 151/213, 70.9%, respectively; P=.002; risk ratio 1.17, 95% lower CI 1.07) compared to infants in the usual care group. Similarly, a higher proportion of infants in the intervention group received Penta-3 (181/204, 88.7% vs 128/185, 69.2%, respectively; P<.001), measles (170/195, 87.1% vs 116/169, 68.6%, respectively; P<.001), and all scheduled vaccinations (135/213, 63.3% vs 85/213, 39.9%, respectively; P<.001; risk ratio 1.59, 95% lower CI 1.35) on time compared to infants in the usual care group. Of the automatically sent 852 mobile phone text messages, 764 (89.7%) were delivered successfully to the participants. Conclusions Mobile phone text message reminders significantly improved complete and timely receipt of all recommended vaccines. Besides, they had a significant effect in improving the timely receipt of specific vaccines. Thus, text message reminders can be used to supplement the routine immunization program in resource-limited settings. Considering different contexts, studies on the implementation challenges of mobile health interventions are recommended. Trial Registration Pan African Clinical Trial Registry PACTR201901533237287; https://pactr.samrc.ac.za/TrialDisplay.aspx?TrialID=5839

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“…In this area, we've built on the values and ideas that define how we want people to use computers in their work and personal life. This has been broadened to encompass the recognition that many people want to incorporate technology into their spiritual pursuits [1], [2]. This work contributes to this new field of research by utilizing design reporting.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Islamic events reminder system via short message service notifications alert

Khaleel

Bresam

2022

IJEECS

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For persons working in the field of modern technology, the lack of awareness about Islamic events remains a significant obstacle. One of the numerous reasons why the event gets forgotten on its designated date. This prompted the creation of an automatic reminder system with mobile technology integration. This paper has the purpose of assisting people in remembering their daily Islamic events, as well as serving as a model for informing people of Islamic occasions via short message service (SMS) notifications. As a result, the main goal is to develop an Islamic model that uses SMS to inform people. To develop a free system based on the concept of recalling the most significant events in Muslim history in order to keep people informed. (Microsoft Visual Studio.net and Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio Express) as our main database. The text message reminder system is made up of two parts: an SMS application for automatic text messaging and a web-based application for customer registration and automatic reminder scheduling. The automated method delivered 100% of the SMS messages to the participants throughout the pilot testing. Finally, the system displayed a notice indicating that the text messages were successfully despatched, and the application was confirmed to be functional.

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Development of automated text-message reminder system to improve uptake of childhood vaccination in North-West, Ethiopia

Cited by 14 publications

References 24 publications

Acceptability, Barriers and Facilitators of Mobile Text Message Reminder System Implementation in Improving Child Vaccination: A Qualitative Study in Northwest Ethiopia

Acceptability, Barriers and Facilitators of Mobile Text Message Reminder System Implementation in Improving Child Vaccination: A Qualitative Study in Northwest Ethiopia

Effect of Mobile Phone Text Message Reminders on the Completion and Timely Receipt of Routine Childhood Vaccinations: Superiority Randomized Controlled Trial in Northwest Ethiopia

Islamic events reminder system via short message service notifications alert

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