Awareness, Perception and Preferences of Mothers towards Mobile Phone Reminders for Routine Childhood Immunization Appointments in Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital Shika,Zaria,Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Adherence to childhood immunization schedules is a function of various factors. Given the increased use of technology as a strategy to increase immunization coverage,the aim of the study was to determine the awareness, perception and preferences of mothers towards mobile phone reminders for routine childhood immunization appointments in Ahmadu Bello university teaching hospital, Shika.,Zaria Methods & Materials: A cross-sectional descriptive study among 300 mothers’/care givers attending routine childhood immunization clinic in ABUTH Shika were selected using systematic random sampling technique. Data was collected using the Open Data Kit (ODK), which sought information on socio-demographic characteristics, awareness, perception and preferences of mothers towards mobile phone reminders for routine childhood immunization appointments, and data was analyzed using SPSS version 21 and results were presented in tables and charts. Relationship between categorical variables were assessed using Chi Square test at P < 0.05. Results: Most of the respondents were within the age group 25-29 years (27.3.0%) years, with a mean age of 28.66, employed,(49.3%) and had secondary school education (42. 7%).Majority of the respondents had mobile phones (78.3%), 96.3% had good perception and only 23.3. % had ever heard of RI reminder. However, 86.0% were willing to give their cell phone numbers in the clinics for RI reminder, 83.7% were willing to receive and 72.5% were willing to pay for RI reminder. The preferred communication modes were cell phone calls (77.7%) or text messages/SMS (70.9%), and 16.3% were not willing to receive any form of RI reminder. There was significant statistical relationship between educational status, socioeconomic status, and phone ownership of mothers with being aware of RI reminder. Conclusion: The respondents had good perception, but lack awareness, on immunization reminder and they prefer phone call and SMS for childhood RI reminder,therefore the need for public awareness on use of mobile phones for RI reminder and recording of mobile phone numbers during Antenatal visits.