Impact of SMS-delivered education on routine childhood immunisation coverage and timeliness in Borno state, Nigeria

Despite Government efforts, immunisation in Nigeria is still below the 90 % global benchmark target. This study was designed to determine the effect of SMS-delivered health education and the influence of gender on infants' immunisation coverage and timeliness in Borno State, Nigeria. The study was a two-arm quasi-experimental design involving 524 respondents. The intervention involved sending health education messages to parents of infants one week before the immunisation due date. Data were collected for each visit and analysed using repeated-measure logistic regression and Poisson Z test for rate. Result of the study showed that SMS-delivered health education significantly improved immunisation coverage (p value of 0.009 at 95 % CI [3.4 – 23.3]) and (p value =0.001, 95 % CI [14.2 – 30.9]) for the 10th and 14th-week but not significant for the 6th-week schedule (p value = 0.684; 95 % CI [-10.2 – 15.5]). Compared to the mother, involving fathers did not result in a significant outcome (p value = 0.132, 95 % C.I. [-0.065 - 0.499]). With regards timeliness, results show significant outcome (p value = 0.002, 95 % CI [4.7 – 22.0]), (p value = 0.001, 95 % CI [7.4 – 23.1]) and (p value = 0.001, 95 % CI [6.4 – 18.8]) for the 6th, 10th, and 14th-week schedule respectively. Lastly, compared to the mothers, involving fathers led to a significant result (p value = 0.014, 95 % CI [0.081 - 0.729]). Mobile health improved immunisation in Nigeria. Involving the fathers also demonstrated a positive effect on the timely immunisation.