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. 2014 Apr 30;7(4):175-80.
doi: 10.4066/AMJ.2014.1916. eCollection 2014.

A study to assess the feasibility of Text Messaging Service in delivering maternal and child healthcare messages in a rural area of Tamil Nadu, India

Shib Sekhar Datta  1 , Pandiyan Ranganathan  1 , Krithiga S Sivakumar  1
Affiliations

A study to assess the feasibility of Text Messaging Service in delivering maternal and child healthcare messages in a rural area of Tamil Nadu, India

Shib Sekhar Datta et al. Australas Med J. .

Abstract

Background: Mobile text messaging is a potentially powerful tool for behaviour change because it is widely available, inexpensive, and instant.

Aims: To evaluate whether mobile Text Messaging Service is a feasible mode of raising knowledge regarding maternal and child health (MCH) and to explore issues related to mobile text messages as a mode of health education.

Method: A community-based intervention study was conducted from January to June 2013 in six randomly selected villages of Vellore district, Tamil Nadu. A multi-stage sampling technique was followed: 120 individuals from 120 households (30 clusters in six villages) were contacted. Data was collected using a pretested questionnaire by house-to-house visits in three phases: 1) baseline assessment of aptitude towards text messages; 2) intervention: sending MCH-related text messages; and 3) end-line assessment to evaluate the increase in knowledge level. Qualitative data regarding mobile text messages as a mode of health education was explored. Quantitative data was analysed using SPSS version 17.0 and qualitative data by Anthropac software.

Results: Of the individuals surveyed, 69.17 per cent and 52.5 per cent were "able to read" and "type and send" text messages, respectively. Seventy per cent of individuals were willing to receive health information via text messages, and 98.33 per cent believed text messages could effectively spread health messages. A significant increase in knowledge was observed following text messages. Male gender and subjects' ability to read text messages were significantly associated. Factors related to mobile phone use include minimum economic burden, easy availability, portability, and ease of use. Factors related to mobile text messages as a mode of health message delivery include direct receipt of information, mass reach, the absence of regional language font in many handsets, and illiterate individuals being unable to read messages.

Conclusion: In rural areas, mobile text messages have the potential to deliver health messages regarding MCH.

Keywords: Health education; maternal and child health; text messages.

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Conflict of interest statement

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

The authors declare that they have no competing interests. We also declare that all the authors have approved the final version of the manuscript.

FUNDING

Authors acknowledge the financial support extended by the Indian Council of Medical Research for this study (ICMR-STS Ref No. 2013-00716).

ETHICS COMMITTEE APPROVAL

Ethical permission to conduct the study was obtained from the Medical College Institutional Human Ethical Committee of MGMC and RI, Pondicherry (Ref. No. MGMCRI/ IHEC/ UG/ 2013/10).

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Factors related to role of mobile texts in delivery of health messages: Non-metric, multi-dimensional scaling and hierarchical cluster analysis
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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