title: Vaccines4Kids: Assessing the impact of text message reminders on immunization rates in infants.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect text messages (TM) immunization reminders have on immunization rates in the first 7 months of life. This randomized-control trial enrolled 57 parent/infant dyads and had a 74% completion rate (43) at the end of the study period. The study was approved by Committee on Human Subjects at the University of Hawaii Institutional Board Review. All participants completed a demographics form and a Barriers to Immunization Survey (SHOTS survey) at the start and end of the study. Parents received TM at 4, 7, 12, 15, 20, & 23 weeks of child's age. The intervention group received immunization reminders and the control group received healthy baby messages. In the overall mixed model, between enrollment and 7 months of age, the barriers to immunizations decreased for all parents significantly. There were no significant differences in immunization rates between groups at 7 months of age. Positive responses from regarding TM interventions show this is a promising intervention, but further research is required regarding how to address behavior change and motivation for health prevention behaviors with TM.
authors.affiliation: University of Tennessee, Knoxville College of Nursing, 1200 Volunteer Blvd, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA. Electronic address: vniederh@utk.edu.
authors.forename: Victoria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Niederhauser
authors.affiliation: Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt, Nashville, TN, USA. Electronic address: Melissa.Johnson@Vanderbilt.edu.
authors.forename: Melissa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.affiliation: Statistical Lab Office of Research, College of Nursing, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208 22, USA. Electronic address: abbas.tavakoli@sc.edu.
authors.forename: Abbas S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Tavakoli
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D000067576:Child Health; D005260:Female; D006254:Hawaii; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology; D011203:Poverty; D017010:Reminder Systems; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D060145:Text Messaging; D014505:Urban Population; D014612:Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D014612:Vaccines
keywords: Immunizations; Parents; Pediatrics; Text-messaging; United States; Vaccines