Feasibility and Perception of Using Text Messages as an Adjunct Therapy for Low-Income, Minority Mothers With Postpartum Depression

Abstract

BackgroundPostpartum depression (PPD) is the most common medical problem among new mothers that can have a negative impact on infant health. Traditional treatments are often difficult for low-income mothers to complete, particularly given the numerous barriers families face.ObjectiveAmong low-income, primarily racial, and ethnic minority mothers with postpartum depression, our aim was to evaluate (1) the feasibility of sending supportive text messages, and (2) the perception of receiving private, supportive text messages for postpartum depression.MethodsMothers found to be at risk for postpartum depression received supportive text messages four times weekly for 6 months in addition to receiving access to traditional counseling services based within an academic pediatric office. Feasibility was evaluated along with cellular and text messaging use, access, and perception of the message protocol. Perception of the message protocol was evaluated at study completion via a Likert scale questionnaire and open-ended qualitative survey.ResultsIn total, 4158/4790 (86.81%) text messages were successfully delivered to 54 mothers over a 6-month period at a low cost (US $777.60). Among the 96 scripted messages, 37 unique messages (38.54%) allowed for a response. Of all sent messages that allowed for responses, 7.30% (118/1616) were responded to, and 66.1% of those responses requested a call back; 46% (25/54) of mothers responded at least once to a text message. Mothers felt that messages were easily received and read (25/28, 89%) and relevant to them personally (23/28, 82%). Most shared texts with others (21/28, 75%).ConclusionsText messaging is feasible, well-accepted, and may serve as a simple, inexpensive adjunct therapy well-suited to cross socioeconomic boundaries and provide private support for at-risk mothers suffering from postpartum depression.

Infusing Technology Into Perinatal Home Visitation in the United States for Women Experiencing Intimate Partner Violence: Exploring the Interpretive Flexibility of an mHealth Intervention

“…Studies of mHealth technology addressing other sensitive issues, such as safer sex, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection prevention, substance abuse, and depression, have demonstrated its utility in reducing feelings of stigma that can occur during face-to-face counselling [39-42]. This resonates with a clinic-based US study that found that not all women who screened positive for IPV using a computer wanted to share their answers with their health care provider [15].…”

Association between Intervention Delivery Approach for Postnatal Depression and its Subsequent Adherence

“…The search keywords used included a combination of "postnatal depression"; "postpartum depression"; "intervention"; "adherence with treatment", and "delivery of treatment". The search result was restricted to telephone-based [46] and Internet-based interventions [19].…”

Reminder use to improve service referral use among participants in a community engagement program (Preprint)

“…Text messaging in weekly intervals was found to be an effective strategy to enhance adherence to antiretroviral therapy and in improving viral load suppression compared with standard care among patients with HIV [22]. Apart from serving as reminders, text messages can encourage healthy behaviors and serve as a form of inexpensive adjunct therapy in various chronic and behavioral disorders [23]. Mothers at risk for postpartum depression, who received supportive therapy and postnatal education via text, were reported to be more equipped to deal with their depression [23].…”

“…Apart from serving as reminders, text messages can encourage healthy behaviors and serve as a form of inexpensive adjunct therapy in various chronic and behavioral disorders [23]. Mothers at risk for postpartum depression, who received supportive therapy and postnatal education via text, were reported to be more equipped to deal with their depression [23]. A recent study on parents of children aged six to twelve years found healthy behavior tips sent through text were more acceptable than through print or e-mail reminders [24].…”