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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
biochemistry, genetics and molecular biology
The feasibility of using mobile-phone based SMS reminders and conditional cash transfers to improve timely immunization in rural Kenya
Vaccine, Volume 31, No. 6, Year 2013
Notification
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Description
Background: Demand-side strategies could contribute to achieving high and timely vaccine coverage in rural Africa, but require platforms to deliver either messages or conditional cash transfers (CCTs). We studied the feasibility of using short message services (SMS) reminders and mobile phone-based conditional cash transfers (CCTs) to reach parents in rural Western Kenya. Methods: In a Health and Demographic Surveillance System (HDSS), mothers with children aged 0-3 weeks old were approached to determine who had access to a mobile phone. SMS reminders were sent three days prior to and on the scheduled day of immunization for 1st (age 6 weeks) and 2nd doses (age 10 weeks) of DTP-HepB-Hib (Pentavalent) vaccine, using open-source Rapid SMS software. Approximately $2.00 USD was sent as cash using mPESA, a mobile money transfer platform (2/3 of mothers), or airtime (1/3 of mothers) via phone if the child was vaccinated within 4 weeks of the scheduled date. Follow-up surveys were done when children reached 14 weeks of age. Results: We approached 77 mothers; 72 were enrolled into the study (26% owned a phone and 74% used someone else's). Of the 63 children with known vaccination status at 14 weeks of age, 57 (90%) received pentavalent1 and 54 (86%) received pentavalent2 within 4 weeks of their scheduled date. Of the 61 mothers with follow-up surveys administered at 14 weeks of age, 55 (90%) reported having received SMS reminders. Of the 54 women who reported having received SMS reminders and answered the CCT questions on the survey, 45 (83%) reported receiving their CCT. Most (89%) of mothers in the mPESA group obtained their cash within 3 days of being sent their credit via mobile phone. All mothers stated they preferred CCTs as cash via mobile phone rather than airtime. Of the 9 participants who did not vaccinate their children at the designated clinic 2(22%) cited refusals by husbands to participate in the study. Conclusion: The data show that in rural Western Kenya mobile phone-based strategies are a potentially useful platform to deliver reminders and cash transfers. Follow-up studies are needed that provide evidence for the effectiveness of these strategies in improving vaccine coverage and timeliness. © 2012.
Authors & Co-Authors
Wakadha, Hotenzia
Kenya, Nairobi
Kenya Medical Research Institute
Chandir, Subhash
United States, Baltimore
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Were, Elijah Victor
Kenya, Nairobi
Kenya Medical Research Institute
Rubin, Alan
Kenya, Nairobi
Kenya Medical Research Institute
Obor, David
Kenya, Nairobi
Kenya Medical Research Institute
Levine, Orin S.
United States, Baltimore
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Gibson, Dustin G.
United States, Baltimore
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Odhiambo, Frank Akoth
Kenya, Nairobi
Kenya Medical Research Institute
Laserson, Kayla F.
Kenya, Nairobi
Kenya Medical Research Institute
Feikin, Daniel R.
United States, Baltimore
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
United States, Atlanta
National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases
Statistics
Citations: 136
Authors: 10
Affiliations: 3
Identifiers
Doi:
10.1016/j.vaccine.2012.11.093
ISSN:
0264410X
e-ISSN:
18732518
Research Areas
Health System And Policy
Maternal And Child Health
Study Design
Cross Sectional Study
Cohort Study
Study Approach
Quantitative
Study Locations
Kenya
Participants Gender
Female