Content of text messaging immunization reminders: what low-income parents want to know.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this project was to gather preliminary data on preferred content for text reminders sent to low-income parents. METHODS: A brief- IRB-approved survey was administered to 200 consecutive English-speaking parents of children under 6 years old at a Pediatric Residency clinic. Because text messages can hold only limited content- parents were given three example texts ranging from very basic to very specific information and asked to select the information they would wish to receive. RESULTS: Of the 190 parents (95%) who responded- 22.1% (42) were Hispanic and 76.3% (145) were non-Hispanic. Over 80% (153) received Medicaid. Of the 79.5% (151) of respondents interested in receiving text messages who responded to the question regarding content- nearly 50% (74) preferred Option 2- with the remaining respondents divided between Option 1 (43) and Option 3 (35). Results differed significantly between Hispanic and non-Hispanic respondents ($\chi$(2)(2)=6.36- p=0.042). CONCLUSION: The majority of parents preferred a message containing the child's name- specific immunization information and physician information. However- Hispanic respondents were significantly more likely to endorse an option that included additional information. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Text messaging may be an optimal vehicle for provider-patient communication- however cultural differences should be considered when developing messages.