Increasing the response rate of text messaging data collection: a delayed randomized controlled trial

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Informatics
• Clinical Research

Background:

• Longitudinal data collection is crucial for health research.
• Text messaging offers a promising method for remote data capture.
• Optimizing response rates in text-based data collection is essential for data quality.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of multiple interventions in enhancing text message response rates.
• To assess the impact of reminders, financial incentives, and feedback on data collection adherence.
• To identify factors influencing caregiver participation in text message surveys.

Main Methods:

• A delayed randomized controlled trial was conducted with 283 caregivers in rural China.
• Interventions included additional reminders, a small monetary credit, and feedback messages.
• Response rates were compared between intervention and control groups over a 15-week period.

Main Results:

• Text message interventions significantly increased response rates in the intervention group.
• Younger caregivers and those with children having lower hemoglobin levels were more responsive.
• The addition of four reminders yielded a modest increase in text messages sent.

Conclusions:

• Multiple interventions are effective for improving text message data collection response rates in resource-limited settings.
• These findings support the use of text messaging for longitudinal health data collection.
• Further multi-site studies are recommended to refine intervention strategies for health research.