Peer-reviewed article
Impact of Mobile Health Education on Immunization Coverage in UnderFive Children: An Original Research Study
Yogesh Narendrabhai Umraniya, Sumit Audichya, Mansi Badrakia ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This study tested whether sending weekly health education messages and vaccine reminders to caregivers by mobile phone could improve childhood immunization rates. Over six months, the intervention group receiving these messages had significantly higher immunization coverage (86.1%) compared to the routine care group (68.3%). Caregivers in the intervention group also showed greater improvement in knowledge about immunization. The findings suggest that combining mobile health messages with routine immunization services can help more children receive vaccines on time.
Key points
- At baseline, immunization coverage was similar in both groups (62.8% vs 61.1%), showing the groups were comparable
- After 6 months, the intervention group achieved 86.1% full immunization coverage compared to 68.3% in the comparison group
- Caregiver knowledge improved significantly more in the intervention group (12.4 to 18.7) than the comparison group (12.1 to 13.6)
- Timely vaccine uptake increased from 54.4% to 79.4% in the intervention group
- Mobile health exposure was independently associated with full immunization coverage (adjusted odds ratio 3.42)
Limitations
The study does not specify which country or countries the work was conducted in, making it difficult to assess generalizability to specific contexts. The study only followed children for six months, so it cannot tell us whether the effects of mobile health education persist over longer periods.
Abstract
Background: Under-five morbidity and mortality is preventable due to incomplete and delayed immunization. Mobile health education has the potential to enhance caregiver awareness, attendance at appointments, and timely vaccine uptake. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of a structured mobile health education intervention on immunization coverage among under-five children. Methods: A quasi-experimental community-based study was carried out with 360 caregiver-child pairs in two similar community areas in rural primary health centres. The intervention group was provided with weekly mobile health education messages and vaccine reminders for six months, and the comparison group was provided with routine services. Caregiver knowledge and child immunization status (by card or health record) were documented during baseline and endline assessments. Results: Baseline immunization coverage was comparable between the intervention and comparison groups, with 62.8% vs 61.1% of children being fully immunized, respectively (p = 0.741). The intervention group had a higher rate of coverage at 6 months (86.1% vs. 68.3%, p < 0.001). Mean caregiver knowledge score improved from 12.4 ± 3.1 to 18.7 ± 2.6 in the intervention group and from 12.1 ± 3.4 to 13.6 ± 3.2 in the comparison group (p < 0.001). The intervention group saw a significant increase in timely vaccine uptake from 54.4% to 79.4%. At endline, mobile health exposure continued to be independently associated with full immunization (AOR 3.42, 95% CI 2.02-5.79). Conclusion: Mobile health education had a significant effect on the knowledge, full immunization coverage, and timeliness of under-five children. Combining localised mobile reminders with the delivery of routine immunisation services can reinforce public health services.
Findings the Hub has extracted
Each claim below is labelled by its type of design and links back to this report.
- Intervention
- Weekly mobile health education messages and vaccine reminders sent to caregivers for six months
- Population
- 360 caregiver-child pairs in rural primary health centres, under-five children
Key finding
Full immunization coverage increased from 62.8% to 86.1% in intervention group vs 61.1% to 68.3% in comparison group (p < 0.001)
Umraniya et al. · OpenAlex · 31 May 2026