The Utilization of Short Message Service (SMS) in Promoting Community Maternal Health

Background: Measles remains one of the leading causes of death among young children globally (Liu et al., 2015), despite the availability of a safe and effective vaccine (Van Den Ent, Brown, Hoekstra, Christie, & Cochi, 2011). Knowledge about Measles and health compliance are good factors in the eradication of the disease in the country (Matsumura, Nakayama, Okamato, & Ito, 2005; Boom, Nelson, Laufman, Kohrt, & Kozinetz, 2007). The use of mobile phones are drawing interest in research that the increase in usage of short messaging service (SMS) could be an innovative way of disseminating health information. In line with this, existing literature suggest the potential of mobile phones and short messaging services (SMS) in influencing immunization practices (Kazi, 2017; Rossing, ravn, Batista, & Rodrigues, 2016; Crawford, Larsen-Cooper, Jezman, Cunningham, & Bancroft, 2014). In this inquiry, we used text messaging and pamphlets as tools for health teaching regarding Measles.

Methods: The study utilized a quasi-experimental design, and used purposive sampling in selecting (30) participants for experimental group and another (30) for control group. The researchers conducted data through performing a pretest to the subjects before the experiment and then disseminating knowledge about Measles using of mobile phones and pamphlets in the course of five (5) days. After the experiment the post test was given again to differentiate the knowledge level of the subjects before and after the experiment. SPSS ver 21 was utilized in analyzing the data.

Results and Findings: Results showed based from testing difference of the pre-test and post-test of control group and experimental group from 5.70 (pre-test) to 6.77 (post-test) and 6.27(pre-test) to 7.43 (post-test), respectively, cognitive score of both group significantly increased with p<.05 result. On the other hand, testing difference of independent T test shows that score of experimental group (n=30, x=7.43) has no significant difference (t= - 1.775, p>.05) with the score of control group of (n=30, x=6.77).