Evaluating a Mobile Phone–Delivered Text Message Reminder Intervention to Reduce Infant Vaccination Dropout in Arua, Uganda: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

• DOI: 10.2196/17262
• Publication Date: 2020-12-30T20:13:24Z
• Authors: Daniel C Ehlman; Joseph Magoola; Patricia Tanifum; Aaron S Wallace; Prosper Behumbiize; Robert Mayanja; Henry Luzze; Joshua Yukich; Danni Daniels; Kevin Mugenyi; Fulgentius Baryarama; Nicholas Ayebazibwe; Laura Conklin
• Keywords: Vaccination schedule; Short Message Service; mHealth

Background Globally, suboptimal vaccine coverage is a public health concern. According to Uganda’s 2016 Demographic and Health Survey, only 49% of 12- 23-month-old children received all recommended vaccinations by 12 months age. Innovative ways are needed increase coverage, reduce dropout, awareness among caregivers bring for timely vaccination. Objective This study evaluates personalized, automated caregiver mobile phone–delivered text message reminder intervention the proportion who start but do not complete vaccination series aged younger in select facilities Arua district. Methods A two-arm, multicenter, parallel group randomized controlled trial was conducted four providing services around town Arua. Caregivers between 6 weeks age at time their first dose pentavalent (Penta1; containing diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, hepatitis B, Haemophilus influenzae type b antigens) were recruited interviewed. All participants standard care, defined as worker child home-based records available verbal instruction when return next visit. At end each day, computer either receive or reminders subsequent visits according national schedule. Text Penta2 sent 2 days before, on day of, after scheduled Reminders Penta3 measles-containing 5 7 day. Study personnel postintervention follow-up interviews with during children’s In addition, focus discussions assess acceptability intervention, economic data collected evaluate incremental costs cost-effectiveness facility record review forms completed capture service delivery process indicators. Results Of 3485 screened participants, 1961 enrolled from sample size 1962. Enrollment concluded August 2016. Follow-up including extraction cards, immunization registers, completion forms, December 2017. The results expected be released 2021. Conclusions Prompting health-seeking behavior has been shown improve uptake. Mobile phone ownership continues grow Uganda, so use interventions such this logical should evaluated scientifically rigorous designs. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04177485; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04177485 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/17262