Acceptability of Reminders for Immunization Appointments via Mobile Devices by Mothers in Ilorin, Nigeria: A Cross-sectional Study

• Main Authors: Rasheedat Mobolaji Ibraheem, Moshood Adebayo Akintola
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oman Medical Specialty Board 2017-11-01
• Series: Oman Medical Journal
• Subjects: Reminder Systems; Mass Immunization; Mobile Phones; Nigeria; Mass Immunization; Mobile Phones; Nigeria
• Online Access: http://omjournal.org/articleDetails.aspx?coType=1&aId=2063
• ISSN: 1999-768X; 2070-5204

Objectives: Immunization coverage in Nigeria remains low despite the protection it confers. Reminders via mobile phones may be deployed as a means of improving vaccination coverage but requires the participation and cooperation of the caregiver. Therefore, we evaluated the acceptability of reminders for immunization appointment by mothers in Ilorin, Nigeria. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study recruited 526 mothers from two public hospitals in Ilorin. Semi-structured questionnaires were used to collect information on ownership and access to phones, willingness to receive reminders, household, antenatal, and delivery characteristics. Results: The majority (92.7%) of mothers had a personal phone, and all willingly provided contact details. Over half (69.0%) of mothers were willing to receive reminders. Postsecondary education (odds ratio (OR) = 1.958; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.232–3.111) and antenatal care attendance by mothers (OR = 8.381; 95% CI: 2.495–28.170) were significant determinants of mothers willingness to receive reminders. Mothers with less than or equal to four children had a three-fold increased odds of wanting reminders. Artisan mothers were less likely to want reminders compared with unemployed mothers (OR = 0.506; 95% CI: 0.291–0.847). Conclusions: Most mothers are willing to receive reminders on immunization appointments via their mobile phone. Determinants of maternal willingness to receive reminders include mothers with less than four children, postsecondary education, and antenatal care attendance. Program planners should consider utilizing reminders as a strategy to increase the immunization uptake with access to contact details making this feasible.