Mobile and Scalable Innovations for Measles Immunization: a Randomized Controlled Trial (M-SIMI)
Measles
About this trial
This is an interventional health services research trial for Measles focused on measuring SMS reminder, incentive, mobile phone, Immunization
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- Caregiver of infant aged 6-8 months at time of enrollment
- Self-reported resident of one of the study villages; where the definition of a resident is defined by caregiver
- Willing to sign informed consent for the study
Exclusion Criteria:
- Child of enrolled caregiver has already received one dose of measles vaccine, not including any supplemental measles vaccines
- Caregiver plans to move away in the next 6 months
Sites / Locations
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Arm 3
No Intervention
Experimental
Experimental
Control
SMS reminder
SMS reminder + Unconditional Incentive
All enrolled caregivers will receive a congratulatory text message at enrollment which indicates who is conducting the study and which also includes a general-health related saying, "The greatest wealth is health". No additional text messages or travel subsidies will be sent to caregivers randomized to the control arm.
At enrollment, participants will be told to expect 2 SMS reminders for measles vaccine; first, at 3 days before and second, on the day before the scheduled measles vaccine at 9 months of age. At most, enrolled caregivers will receive three text messages (two for the measles vaccine and one for welcoming mother to the study). Text messages will be sent in English, Kiswahili or Dholuo language, according to the mother's preference. These reminders will have information about the child's scheduled immunization date.
Participants will receive SMS reminders as described in the SMS reminder arm. Additionally, participants will be sent a 150 Kenyan Shillings (KES) incentive to the mobile phone number they provided at enrollment. The incentive will be delivered three days before the child turns nine months (i.e. sent on the same day as the first SMS reminder). Caregivers will receive the mobile-money incentive unconditionally. The intent of the incentive is to help offset the costs associated with transportation to the clinic. The transaction costs associated with mobile-money transactions will be borne by the study such that mothers will receive the full 150 KES.