Comparison of Text Messages Versus E-mail When Communicating and Querying With Mothers About Safe Infant Sleep

Acad Pediatr. 2017 Nov-Dec;17(8):871-878. doi: 10.1016/j.acap.2017.06.004. Epub 2017 Jun 10.

Abstract

Objective: To assess how mothers' choice of e-mail or text messages (SMS) to receive safe sleep communications is associated with educational video viewing and responses to care practice queries.

Methods: Seven hundred ninety-two new mothers received safe sleep-related communications for 60 days after newborn hospital discharge as part of a trial of health education interventions on infant care practices. Mothers chose e-mail or SMS for study communications and were sent 22 short safe sleep videos and 41 queries regarding infant care practices.

Results: Study communications via e-mail were elected by 55.7% of participants. The SMS group had a modestly higher overall view rate of videos (59.1% vs 54.4%; adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.39; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.07-1.81) and a substantially higher response rate to queries (70.0% vs 45.2%; aOR, 3.48; 95% CI, 2.74-4.43).

Conclusions: Participants more commonly opted to receive infant care practice videos and queries via e-mail. SMS was associated with higher viewing and response rates, especially for query responses. These results highlight the importance of understanding how specific modalities of communication might vary in reach.

Keywords: e-mail; safe sleep; text messaging.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Communication*
  • Electronic Mail*
  • Female
  • Health Education
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant Care*
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Mothers / psychology*
  • Sleep
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Sudden Infant Death / etiology
  • Sudden Infant Death / prevention & control*
  • Text Messaging*
  • Young Adult