title: A two-way text-messaging system answering health questions for low-income pregnant women.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of the study was to gauge the effectiveness of a low-cost, automated, two-way text-messaging system to distribute pregnancy and health-related information to low-income expectant women.
  
  
  METHODS
  In total, 20 participants were recruited for a one-month intervention involving the use of cell phones to text pregnancy-related questions to the system. Participants received either a direct answer or encouragement to seek answers from health care providers. Pre- and post-tests as well as a focus group at the end of the intervention were conducted.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Participants uniformly found the system easy to use and accessible. Using the system increased levels of perceived pregnancy-related knowledge and facilitated patient-provider communication. Moreover, participants reported significant reductions in stress and depression and improved mental health after using the system. The system responded to most known questions quickly and accurately, and also encountered many new topics and linguistic expressions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Overall, the data indicated that the text messaging system offered psychological benefits and promoted health communication by providing health information and encouraging patient-provider communication.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  An automated, two-way text messaging system is an efficient, cost-effective, and acceptable method for providing health information to low-income pregnant women.
authors.affiliation: Department of Communication, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee 53201, USA. songhy@uwm.edu
authors.forename: Hayeon
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: May
authors.forename: Vishnuvardhan
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Vaidhyanathan
authors.forename: Emily M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Cramer
authors.forename: Rami W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Owais
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: McRoy
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D040421:Cell Phone; D003256:Community Participation; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D058015:Health Communication / Q000379:methods*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D008427:Maternal Health Services / Q000379:methods*; D011203:Poverty; D011247:Pregnancy; D037841:Pregnant People / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D060145:Text Messaging; D013997:Time Factors
keywords: Cell phone; Health information; Pregnancy; Text messaging