Development and Evaluation of the Real-time Consultation Messenger Service 'Child Vaccination Chatbot' in the Face of the COVID-19 Pandemic (Preprint)

Abstract

BACKGROUND The decrease in children’s vaccination rates resulted in outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases. Child vaccine hesitancy can occur due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic as we are going through a time of uncertainty. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to assess the efficacy of the “Child Vaccination Friend Chatbot” based on changes in the measurements of vaccination information, motivation, self-efficacy, and vaccination behavioral intention variables. METHODS From 30th Jan. 2020 to 15th Feb. 2020, a total of 65 people participated in the trial through online recruitment. The participants of this study were parents who were raising children from 0 to 35 months old and those whose children expected to be vaccinated within three months. Participants were randomly assigned to the experimental group (N=34) and the control group (N=31). During the 12 weeks of the research, the participants were provided with vaccination schedule reminder alarms, a real-time consultation messenger service, information about vaccinations, and motivation boosters. Also, vaccination information, motivation, self-efficacy, and vaccination behavioral intention variables were measured every four weeks. RESULTS The experimental group that used the chatbot scored higher for vaccination information, motivation, self-efficacy, and vaccination behavioral intention than the control group. Based on the results, it is assumed that the child vaccination chatbot provided useful and prompt information to parents raising children who needed to be vaccinated. The child vaccination chatbot increased vaccination motivation, self-efficacy, and vaccination rates by providing necessary information to parents. CONCLUSIONS This study provides evidence that chatbot can be used as a tool to promote immunization through the provision of reminders and real-time consultation messenger service during the global crisis.