Effectiveness of SMS text messaging to fathers and mothers to improve exclusive breastfeeding in Tigray region, Northern Ethiopia

Status

Completed

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Interventional

Source

ANZCTR

Registry ID

ACTRN12618001481268

Enrollment

256

Registered

2018-09-04

Start date

2018-09-12

Completion date

2018-10-31

Last updated

2019-08-26

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

None listed

Brief summary

Taking into consideration that 27% to 43% of infants in Ethiopia are exposed to a range of foods and liquids other than breast milk in the first few months of life, the level of exclusive breastfeeding at six months could be an over-estimation. The aim of this research is to test the effectiveness of SMS text messaging on breastfeeding education to mothers and fathers to improve exclusive breastfeeding in Tigray region, Ethiopia. In the intervention, we will recruit expectant couples into one of the three arms: mothers and fathers receiving SMS text messaging, mothers only receiving SMS text messaging, mothers in the standard care. One month antenatal and three months postnatal SMS will be delivered for the intervention groups, and monthly data will be collected through face-to-face interview. The primary outcome of this research is breastfeeding exclusivity, with knowledge, attitude, and self-efficacy for breastfeeding being secondary outcomes.

Interventions

We will have two intervention groups: Expectant couples int the first arms: mothers and fathers receiving breastfeeding related SMS text messaging. In the second arm: Mothers only receiving breastfeeding related SMS text messaging Both arms receive the same SMS text messages for a total of four months, one month(last trimester) and three months (After birth). The SMS text messages are designed to improve breastfeeding knowledge, attitude, and support, thus, to improve exclusive breastfeeding practice. This will be one month during pregnancy and three months after delivery, One SMS per week. These SMS will be sent to study participants from the research team, using the FrontlineSMS bulk SMS system, from our personal computer. Both this arms do receive also the standard services provided at health facility we will allocate Three health centers in to each of the arms, so that, all parents in one health centers will be allocated in to one of the arms.

Study design

Allocation

Non-randomised trial

Intervention model

Parallel

Primary purpose

Educational / counselling / training

Masking

Open (masking not used)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

All

Age

15 Years to 49 Years

Healthy volunteers

Inclusion criteria

having a personal mobile phone able to read and understand Tigrigna living in a union until the end of the study a singleton pregnancy mother with no known medical problem that hinders breastfeeding

Exclusion criteria

Couples who are not receiving antenatal care services at public health centers

Outcome results