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Text message reminders increased flu vaccination among low-income pregnant women
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Among pregnant and postpartum low-income women, text message reminders about the influenza vaccine may increase vaccination uptake, according to recent study data.
Researchers from Columbia University evaluated women who presented for prenatal care at one of five clinics affiliated with an academic medical center in New York City during the 2011-2012 influenza season.
The randomized controlled trial included women who had a first trimester medical visit between Feb. 1 and Aug. 15, 2011, had an estimated due date after Aug. 31, 2011, and had a cellphone number on file at the institution’s registration system.
Eligible women were sent an initial text message notifying them that they might receive pregnancy-related text messages, and that they could opt out of these messages by sending a text reply or calling a phone number.
Women in the intervention group were sent five weekly automated text message influenza vaccine reminders. After the initial introductory message reminding women that they were due for an influenza vaccine, the messages imparted educational information about the importance of the vaccine. Some of the information sent included the following: pregnant women and their newborns are at heightened risk of influenza-related illness; doctors recommend the vaccine; and their doctor could answer any questions about the vaccine at their next prenatal visit.
The fifth message was interactive, offering women the choice to receive additional information about influenza risk, common misunderstandings about influenza vaccines, potential side effects, and the need for annual influenza vaccination.
After calibrating for number of clinic visits and gestational age, the researchers found that women who received the interventional text messages had a 30% greater likelihood of vaccination (adjusted OR=1.3; 95% CI, 1.003-1.69). The most significant effect of the messages was among women early in the third trimester of pregnancy at the start of intervention: as of Dec. 31, 61.9% of these women vs. 49% in the control group had received the influenza vaccine (adjusted OR=1.88; 95% CI, 1.12-3.15).
“Influenza vaccination is important for the health of both pregnant women and their newborns,” the researchers wrote. “This randomized controlled study illustrated the potential of using text messages to encourage influenza vaccination in this population.”
Disclosure: The study was supported by grant R40 MC17169 (M.S.S.) from the Maternal and Child Health Bureau (Title V, Social Security Act), Health Resources and Services Administration, Department of Health and Human Services.
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