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
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
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DOI：
10.4066/amj.2014.1916
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发表时间：
2014-01-01
影响因子：
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通讯作者：
Sivakumar, Krithiga S.
中科院分区：
文献类型：
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作者：
Datta, Shib Sekhar;Ranganathan, Pandiyan;Sivakumar, Krithiga S.
背景移动短信是行为改变的潜在强大工具，因为它广泛使用、廉价且即时。目的评估移动短信服务是否是提高母婴健康（MCH）知识的可行模式，并探讨与移动短信作为健康教育模式相关的问题。方法于2013年1月至6月在泰米尔纳德邦韦洛尔地区随机选择的6个村庄进行了一项基于社区的干预研究。采用多阶段抽样技术：联系了 120 个家庭（6 个村庄的 30 个小组）的 120 个人。使用预测试问卷通过挨家挨户访问分三个阶段收集数据：1）对短信能力的基线评估； 2）干预：发送MCH相关短信； 3) 终点评估，以评估知识水平的提高。探讨了有关移动短信作为健康教育模式的定性数据。使用SPSS 17.0版对定量数据进行分析，并使用Anthropac软件对定性数据进行分析。结果在受访者中，分别有69.17％和52.5％的人“能够阅读”和“打字和发送”短信。 70%的人愿意通过短信接收健康信息，98.33%的人认为短信可以有效传播健康信息。通过短信我们观察到知识的显着增加。男性性别和受试者阅读短信的能力显着相关。与移动电话使用相关的因素包括最小的经济负担、易于获得、便携性和易用性。与移动短信作为健康信息传递方式相关的因素包括直接接收信息、覆盖范围广、许多手机中缺乏区域语言字体以及文盲者无法阅读信息。结论在农村地区，移动短信有潜力传递有关妇幼保健的健康信息。
BackgroundMobile text messaging is a potentially powerful tool for behaviour change because it is widely available, inexpensive, and instant.AimsTo 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.MethodA 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.ResultsOf 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.ConclusionIn rural areas, mobile text messages have the potential to deliver health messages regarding MCH.