title: Experiences, perceptions and preferences of mothers towards childhood immunization reminder/recall in Ibadan, Nigeria: a cross-sectional study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Immunization reminder/recall system is proven as one of the effective ways of improving immunization rates. Prior to the development and implementation of an immunization reminder/recall system intervention, we explored the experiences, preferences and perceptions towards childhood immunization reminder/recall among 614 mothers of infants in Ibadan, Nigeria.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional health facility-based survey utilizing a semi-structured questionnaire was conducted in four Primary Health Care centers. Descriptive statistics were computed using SPSS. Logistic models were used to investigate the relationships with specific outcomes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Only 3.9% had ever heard of immunization reminder/recall and 1.5% had ever received one. However, 97.9% were willing to record their cellphone numbers in the clinics for immunization reminder/recall and 95.1% were willing to receive. Their preferred communication modes were cell phone calls (57.6%) or text messages/SMS (35.6%). Only 2.2% preferred home-visits and 0.4%, e-mails. About 4% were not willing to receive any form of immunization reminder/recall. Mothers with post-secondary education were more likely to prefer SMS than other mothers (OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.7-3.3, p.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study provided critical baseline data for designing a reminder/recall intervention for routine childhood immunization in the study communities. The findings may serve as a guide for public health professionals in designing reminder/recall strategies to improve childhood immunization.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, University College Hospital, Ibadan Nigeria.
authors.forename: Victoria Bolanle
authors.initials: VB
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Abimbola
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Oluwatosin
authors.affiliation: Primary Health Care and Health Management Centre (PriHEMAC), Ibadan, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Martins Olusola
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: Ogundeji
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D040421:Cell Phone; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization; D017589:Immunization Programs / Q000379:methods*; D007223:Infant; D016015:Logistic Models; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009549:Nigeria; D010465:Perception; D011320:Primary Health Care; D011634:Public Health; D017010:Reminder Systems; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Mothers; childhood; community; experiences; immunization; preferences; reminder/recall