MedPath

Using Mobile Phone Text Messaging System to Improve Exclusive Breastfeeding Rate in a Resource-poor Caribbean Island

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Breastfeeding, Exclusive
Breastfeeding
Interventions
Behavioral: Mobile phone text messages
Registration Number
NCT03853850
Lead Sponsor
University of California, Davis
Brief Summary

This study will evaluate whether sending educational and supportive mobile phone text messages to mothers of infants, from babies' day of birth until 6 months of age, increases the rate of exclusive breastfeeding in Roatan, Honduras.

Detailed Description

Encouraging and educational text messages and animations were created based on barriers to breastfeeding found during preceding focus groups and a baseline survey. Messages were written in English and translated into Spanish, with back-translation to ensure accuracy. Mothers who plan to or are already breastfeeding will be recruited and invited to participate in the study in the post-partum ward after delivery at Public Hospital Roatán. Written informed consent will be obtained. Three animated videos will be shown to mothers at enrollment providing information regarding breastfeeding technique, breastfeeding encouragement and general breastfeeding information. SMS messages will start at time of enrollment and continue through six months after enrollment. Messages will be delivered through Telerivet, an SMS interactive platform designed to send the educational and motivational messages to mothers' cell phones.

The intervention group will be polled when infants turn two months, four months, and six months regarding their infant feeding practices through Telerivet via SMS messaging. The primary outcome of this study is exclusive breastfeeding at 2 months of age, as compared to the exclusive breastfeeding rate obtained in our baseline cross sectional survey. Exclusive breastfeeding will be defined as giving only mother's breastmilk in the 24 hours preceding the interview. Mothers will also be asked if they are breastfeeding at all, age of infant when they last gave breast milk, the incidence of diarrheal illness in the past two weeks, and any other foods / liquids given to infant.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
Female
Target Recruitment
582
Inclusion Criteria
  • Recently delivered full term infants (>37 weeks gestation, less than 72 hours old)
  • 18 years of age or older, or emancipated minor, or if parent able to consent if <18 years of age
  • Intent to breastfeed
  • Own a phone that can receive SMS messages
  • Able to send SMS reply messages
Exclusion Criteria
  • Mothers who report they can not read in Spanish nor English

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
SINGLE_GROUP
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
InterventionMobile phone text messagesParticipating mothers will receive mobile phone text messages during their babies' first 6 months of life. Messages will educate mothers on breastfeeding and proper infant feeding.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Exclusive breastfeeding rate at 2 months of age2 months after date of enrollment

Proportion of infants exclusive breastfeeding at 2 months of age. Exclusive breastfeeding defined as only breastmilk in the 24 hours preceding data collection

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Infant feeding practice at 6 months of age6 months after date of enrollment

Other types of food given during 24 hours preceding data collection at 6 months of age

Exclusive breastfeeding rate at 4 months of age4 months after date of enrollment

Proportion of infants exclusively breastfeeding at 4 months of age. Exclusive breastfeeding defined as only breastmilk in the 24 hours preceding data collection

Exclusive breastfeeding rate at 6 months of age6 months after date of enrollment

Proportion of infants exclusively breastfeeding at 6 months of age. Exclusive breastfeeding defined as only breastmilk in the 24 hours preceding data collection

Breastfeeding rate at 4 months of age4 months after date of enrollment

Proportion of infants with any amount of breastfeeding at 4 months of age

Breastfeeding rate at 6 months of age6 months after date of enrollment

Proportion of infants with any amount of breastfeeding at 6 months of age

Diarrheal disease at 2 months of age2 months after date of enrollment

Diarrheal disease incidence at 2 months of age. Diarrheal disease defined as watery stool during 2 weeks preceding data collection

Diarrheal disease at 4 months of age4 months after date of enrollment

Diarrheal disease incidence at 4 months of age. Diarrheal disease defined as watery stool during 2 weeks preceding data collection

Diarrheal disease at 6 months of age6 months after date of enrollment

Diarrheal disease incidence at 6 months of age. Diarrheal disease defined as watery stool during 2 weeks preceding data collection

Infant feeding practice at 2 months of age2 months after date of enrollment

Other types of food given during 24 hours preceding data collection at 2 months of age

Infant feeding practice at 4 months of age4 months after date of enrollment

Other types of food given during 24 hours preceding data collection at 4 months of age

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Public Hospital Roatan

🇭🇳

Coxen Hole, Roatan, Honduras

© Copyright 2025. All Rights Reserved by MedPath