Texting Adolescent Clients

Abstract

Text messaging may be a useful communication tool for adolescent clients receiving contraception injections, according to a study published online in the Journal of Adolescent Health. Th e study was conducted in Baltimore and included 100 participants ages 13 to 21 who were receiving contraception via injection every 3 months and followed over 9 months. One-half of the participants received standard automated calls on their home phones reminding them of their upcoming appointment, while the other half received personalized daily text messages starting 3 days prior to their monthly appointment, asking them to text back their responses. In addition, the text group also received periodic texts with tips on condom use to prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs), suggestions for maintaining healthy weight and messages urging them to call their nurse with any questions or concerns. Overall, 87 percent of participants showed up for the fi rst of three injections, 77 percent completed the second cycle and 69 percent came to clinic for the third and fi nal injection. Because all participants received personal phone calls from a nurse, the study was not equipped to measure diff erences in show-up rates between those who received standard phone call reminders and those who got text messages. However, adolescents who received text-message reminders were more likely to show up for their injections on time than their peers who got traditional reminders—68 percent compared with 56 percent for fi rst appointment and 68 percent compared with 62 percent for second appointments. Th e diff erences between the two groups, however, dissipated by the third appointment.