Effect of mobile text message reminders on routine childhood vaccination: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract Background Mobile-phone reminders have gained traction among policymakers as a way to improve childhood vaccination coverage and timeliness. However, there is limited evidence on the acceptability of mobile-phone reminders among patients and caregivers. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the ownership of mobile-phone device and the willingness to receive mobile-phone reminders among mothers/caregivers utilizing routine childhood immunization services in Nigeria. Method MEDLINE, Scopus, CINAHL, CNKI, AJOL (African Journal Online), and Web of Science were systematically searched for studies on the acceptability of mobile-phone reminders for routine immunization appointments among mothers/caregivers in Nigeria. Studies were assessed for methodological quality using the Newcastle Ottawa Scale and JBI critical appraisal checklists. Meta-analysis was conducted using random-effects model to generate pooled estimates (proportion) of mothers who owned at least one mobile phone and proportion of mothers willing to receive mobile-phone reminders. Results Sixteen studies (13 cross-sectional and three interventional) involving a total of 9923 mothers across 15 states and the Federal Capital Territory Abuja met inclusion criteria. Pooled estimates showed that the proportion of mothers who owned at least one mobile phone was 96.4% (95% CI = 94.1–98.2%; I2 = 96.3%) while the proportion of mothers willing to receive mobile-phone reminders was 86.0% (95% CI = 79.8–91.3%, I2 = 98.4%). Most mothers preferred to receive text message reminders at least 24 h before the routine immunization appointment day, and in the morning hours. Approximately 52.8% of the mothers preferred to receive reminders in English, the country’s official language. Conclusion Current evidence suggests a high acceptability for mobile-phone reminder interventions to improve routine childhood immunization coverage and timeliness. Further studies, however, are needed to better understand unique regional preferences and assess the operational costs, long-term effects, and risks of this intervention. Systematic review protocol registration PROSPERO CRD42021234183.

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Text2PreventCVD: protocol for a systematic review and individual participant data meta-analysis of text message-based interventions for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2016-012723 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 6 (10) ◽

pp. e012723 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Clara K Chow ◽

Sheikh Mohammed Shariful Islam ◽

Andrew Farmer ◽

Kirsty Bobrow ◽

Ralph Maddision ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Cardiovascular Diseases ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Text Message ◽

Individual Participant Data ◽

Individual Participant

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Routine Childhood Vaccination During COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia: A Systematic Review

10.52533/johs.2021.1108 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 01 (03) ◽

pp. 57-65

Author(s):

Razan Alghanmi ◽

Suhaib Refae ◽

Sarah Asiri ◽

Hanan Bamarouf ◽

Jwael Alhamoud ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Saudi Arabia ◽

Childhood Vaccination ◽

Routine Childhood

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The global effect of maternal education on complete childhood vaccination: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BMC Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1186/s12879-017-2890-y ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 17 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

Jennifer Forshaw ◽

Sarah M. Gerver ◽

Moneet Gill ◽

Emily Cooper ◽

Logan Manikam ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Maternal Education ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Childhood Vaccination ◽

Global Effect

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Effectiveness of text messaging interventions for the management of depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare ◽

10.1177/1357633x19875852 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 25 (9) ◽

pp. 513-523 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Buddhika Senanayake ◽

Sumudu I Wickramasinghe ◽

Mark D Chatfield ◽

Julie Hansen ◽

Sisira Edirippulige ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Text Messaging ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Text Message ◽

Behavioural Therapy ◽

Clinical Depression ◽

Treatment Modalities ◽

Controlled Trials ◽

Cochrane Central Register ◽

Services Delivery

Introduction Depression is a leading cause of human disability. Telemedicine-based interventions using text messaging are currently being trialled for the management of community-based clients with clinical depression. However, little is known about the effectiveness of such methods. Methods We searched the databases PubMed, Embase, Informit, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PsycINFO and Scopus for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) published between January 2000 and April 2019. Studies comparing text messaging interventions to a comparator group for patients with depression were included in the review. Articles were assessed for quality using the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal checklist for RCTs. Results Nine RCTs (945 patients: 764 adults and 181 adolescents) were included in the systematic review. Five studies used text messaging as the only intervention, whilst the remaining combined text messaging with other treatment modalities such as behavioural activation or cognitive behavioural therapy. A meta-analysis was conducted on seven selected RCTs (845 patients: 664 adults and 181 adolescents). The standardised mean reduction in depression due to text messaging interventions was 0.23 (95% confidence interval: –0.02 to 0.48). There was evidence of heterogeneity in treatment effect between studies. Discussion There is marginal evidence supporting text messaging interventions as an effective treatment modality for people living with clinical depression. However, further research is needed to determine how best to utilise text-message interventions alongside other conventional forms of health services delivery.

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The effectiveness of text message delivered interventions for weight loss in developing countries: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

Obesity Reviews ◽

10.1111/obr.13339 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Tilahun Tewabe Alamnia ◽

Wubshet Tesfaye ◽

Matthew Kelly

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Weight Loss ◽

Developing Countries ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Text Message

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Strategies to increase the demand for childhood vaccination in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Bulletin of the World Health Organization ◽

10.2471/blt.14.146951 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 93 (5) ◽

pp. 339-346C ◽

Cited By ~ 42

Author(s):

Mira Johri ◽

Myriam Cielo Pérez ◽

Catherine Arsenault ◽

Jitendar K Sharma ◽

Nitika Pant Pai ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Childhood Vaccination ◽

Middle Income ◽

Middle Income Countries ◽

Low And Middle Income

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Effectiveness of mobile phone text message reminder interventions to improve adherence to antiretroviral therapy among adolescents living with HIV: A systematic review and meta-analysis

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0254890 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (7) ◽

pp. e0254890

Author(s):

Nishant Mehra ◽

Abayneh Tunje ◽

Inger Kristensson Hallström ◽

Degu Jerene

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Antiretroviral Therapy ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Text Message ◽

Standard Of Care ◽

Art Adherence ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Text Message Reminder ◽

Living With Hiv

Background Poor adherence to antiretroviral therapy in adolescents living with HIV is a global challenge. One of the key strategies to improve adherence is believed to be the use of digital adherence tools. However, evidence is limited in this area. Our objective was to investigate the effectiveness of mobile phone text message reminders in improving ART adherence for adolescents. Methods The preferred reporting item for systematic review and meta-analysis guideline was followed. A literature search was done in five databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Global Health and Cochrane) in August 2020. Additional searches for studies and grey literature were performed manually. We included studies with quantitative design exploring the effectiveness of text message reminders, targeting adolescents aged 10–19 years. Studies were excluded if the intervention involved phone calls, phone-based applications, or other complex tech services. Mean differences between intervention and standard of care were computed using a random effects model. Subgroup analyses were performed to identify sources of heterogeneity between one-way and two-way text messages. Results Of 2517 study titles screened, seven eligible studies were included in the systematic review. The total number of participants in the included studies was 987, and the study sample varied from 14 to 332. Five studies showed a positive impact of text messaging in improving adherence, while no significant difference was found between the intervention and the control (standard of care) group in the remaining two studies. The pooled mean difference between the intervention and the control group was 0.05 (95% CI: –0.08 to 0.17). There was considerable heterogeneity among the studies (I2 = 78%). Conclusion and recommendation The meta-analysis of text message reminder interventions did not show a statistically significant difference in the improvement of ART adherence among adolescents living with HIV. The included studies were heterogeneous in the reported clinical outcomes, where the effectiveness of the intervention was identified in small studies which had a short follow-up period. Studies with bigger sample size and a longer follow-up period are needed.

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Effectiveness of Text Messaging Interventions on Blood Pressure Control Among Patients With Hypertension: Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.24527 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Hon Lon Tam ◽

Eliza Mi Ling Wong ◽

Kin Cheung ◽

Siu Fung Chung

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Text Messaging ◽

Methodological Quality ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Text Message ◽

Controlled Trials ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Reduction Effect ◽

Text Messaging Intervention

BACKGROUND Controlling blood pressure (BP) is an international health concern, and high BP is a major contributor to cardiovascular disease mortality. Evidence has shown that educational interventions directed at patients potentially improve BP control and adherence to medications and lifestyle modifications. In addition, a text messaging intervention has a potential effect on BP control; however, the dosage of a text messaging intervention has not been determined in previous reviews, resulting in difficult application in practice. OBJECTIVE This review aimed to identify the effectiveness of a text messaging intervention on hypertension management with a specific focus on the dosage of text messaging and the type of additional interventions with text messaging. METHODS A systematic review was conducted and reported on in accordance with PRISMA guideline. Participants were aged 18 years and older and diagnosed with primary hypertension. The included studies used text messaging as a component of the intervention. We searched for randomized controlled trials published until June 30, 2020, from the following health-related electronic databases: Embase, Medline, CINAHL Complete, PsycINFO, and Scopus. Data were extracted for qualitative synthesis and meta-analysis. The Physiotherapy Evidence Database Scale was used to assess the methodological quality of each study, and the quality of the included studies was assessed independently by two authors. RESULTS Twelve studies met the inclusion criteria. The overall methodological quality was fair (mean score 5.75). The frequency of text message delivery varied from daily to biweekly. Health education was identified in 4 studies as an additional intervention with text messaging. The overall results showed that the text messaging intervention significantly reduced systolic BP (SBP) but not diastolic BP (DBP). There was no significant difference in BP reduction between studies that lasted 6 months or less and those that lasted more than 7 months. Seven studies that lasted 6 months or less involving 1428 patients with hypertension were pooled for further meta-analysis. Text messages delivered at a lower frequency (once per week or less) had a small effect on SBP reduction (effect size 0.35, P<.01) and DBP reduction (effect size 0.28, P=.01). In addition, the use of a text messaging intervention halved the odds of uncontrolled BP among patients with hypertension in 6 months (odds ratio 0.46, P=.02). CONCLUSIONS This review found that a text messaging intervention was effective in BP control. One-way text messaging delivered in a weekly manner was suggested to be effective and required fewer resources. Future studies should use different forms of text message and be integrated into other interventions to improve adherence behaviors and BP control among patients with hypertension.

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Text messages to reduce depressive symptoms: Do they work and what makes them effective? A systematic review

Health Education Journal ◽

10.1177/0017896920959368 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 001789692095936

Author(s):

Katherine L Cox ◽

Sabine M Allida ◽

Maree L Hackett

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Text Messaging ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Text Message ◽

Well Being ◽

Behavioural Therapy ◽

Pooled Analysis ◽

Text Messages ◽

World Health

Objective: In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we aimed to quantify the effects of text messaging interventions to reduce depressive symptoms and identify variables that might influence the effectiveness of the intervention. Design: Electronic databases including EMBASE, CENTRAL, MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO and SCOPUS, as well as Clinicaltrials.gov and the World Health Organization (WHO) International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP) were searched for randomised controlled trials that sent one or more text messages with health-related content to adults who had been identified by a healthcare provider. Results: Seven trials (nine comparisons), with 1,918 participants, were included in the review, and the pooled analysis revealed a borderline statistically significant reduction in depressive symptom scores between the text messaging intervention and control groups (standardised mean difference [SMD], −0.27; 95% confidence interval [CI], −0.54 to 0.00; p = .00) favouring intervention at the end. Statistically significant reductions were shown in important subgroups, for example, where the primary aim of the messages was to reduce depressive symptoms; in those using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) or 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) questionnaires; where text message content was targeted at mental well-being, mood improvement and cognitive behavioural therapy information; and when the message frequency was ⩾2 times per week. Conclusion: Text messaging has potential to reduce depressive symptoms. The results of this review should be interpreted with caution, however, due to the methodological limitations of included trials. More research is required before recommendations can be made about the routine use of text messaging for the management of depressive symptoms.

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