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

Matthew A Broom, Amy S Ladley, Elizabeth A Rhyne, Donna R Halloran, Matthew A Broom, Amy S Ladley, Elizabeth A Rhyne, Donna R Halloran

Abstract

Background: Postpartum 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.

Objective: Among 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.

Methods: Mothers 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.

Results: In 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%).

Conclusions: Text 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.

Keywords: health care disparities; mental illness; mobile health; short message service.

Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of Interest: This study was sponsored by the Maternal, Child and Family Health Coalition. AL receives salary support as a product of this funding. The study sponsor was not involved in the creation or review of this manuscript. MB and AL are investigators in a program funded via the SSM Cardinal Glennon Foundation Fleur de Lis Program evaluating the feasibility of text messaging urban teenagers about weight management. AL receives salary support as a product of this funding. MB receives salary support as a co-investigator towards the development of an educational program on professionalism and combating physician burn-out via the Josiah Macy Jr. Foundation’s Institute on Medicine as a Profession.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Text messaging feasibility.

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