Introduction: Recent evaluations of computer-generated reminder/recall messages have suggested that they are an inexpensive, labor-saving method of improving office visitation rates of childhood immunization providers. This study assesses the sustained impact of computer-generated messages on immunization coverage during the first two years of life.Design: Randomized, controlled trial.Setting: County health department in the Denver metropolitan area.Study Participants: Children (n = 1227) 60 to 90 days of age who had received the first dose ofdiphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP) and/or poliovirus vaccines.Intervention: Households of children were randomized into four groups to receive: telephone messages followed by letters (Group A); telephone messages alone (Group B); letters only (Group C); or no notification (Group D). Households in the intervention groups (A, B, and C) received up to five computer-generated telephone messages and/or up to four letters each time their children became due for immunization(s).Main Outcome Measure: Immunization series completion at 24 months of age. Results: Children whose families were randomized to receive any of the interventions were 21% more likely to have completed the immunization series by 24 months of age than were children randomized into the control group (49.2% vs 40.9%; RR [rate ratio] = 1.21; CI [confidence interval] =1.01, 1.44). While not statistically significant, children in Group A were 23% more likely to complete their immunization series by 24 months of age than those in the control group (50.2% vs 40.9%; RR = 1.23; CI = 1.00, 1.52). No differences were detected among the intervention groups. The costs per additional child completing the series by 24 months of age in Group A was $226 ($79 after start-up costs were discounted). Conclusion: Computer-generated contacts, either by phone or by mail (or both combined), used each time vaccines become due, are efficacious in increasing immunization coverage of children under 2 years of age.
RCT Entities:
Introduction: Recent evaluations of computer-generated reminder/recall messages have suggested that they are an inexpensive, labor-saving method of improving office visitation rates of childhood immunization providers. This study assesses the sustained impact of computer-generated messages on immunization coverage during the first two years of life.Design: Randomized, controlled trial.Setting: County health department in the Denver metropolitan area.Study Participants: Children (n = 1227) 60 to 90 days of age who had received the first dose of diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP) and/or poliovirus vaccines.Intervention: Households of children were randomized into four groups to receive: telephone messages followed by letters (Group A); telephone messages alone (Group B); letters only (Group C); or no notification (Group D). Households in the intervention groups (A, B, and C) received up to five computer-generated telephone messages and/or up to four letters each time their children became due for immunization(s).Main Outcome Measure: Immunization series completion at 24 months of age. Results:Children whose families were randomized to receive any of the interventions were 21% more likely to have completed the immunization series by 24 months of age than were children randomized into the control group (49.2% vs 40.9%; RR [rate ratio] = 1.21; CI [confidence interval] =1.01, 1.44). While not statistically significant, children in Group A were 23% more likely to complete their immunization series by 24 months of age than those in the control group (50.2% vs 40.9%; RR = 1.23; CI = 1.00, 1.52). No differences were detected among the intervention groups. The costs per additional child completing the series by 24 months of age in Group A was $226 ($79 after start-up costs were discounted). Conclusion: Computer-generated contacts, either by phone or by mail (or both combined), used each time vaccines become due, are efficacious in increasing immunization coverage of children under 2 years of age.
Authors: Stephanie Mayne; Dean Karavite; Robert W Grundmeier; Russell Localio; Kristen Feemster; Elena DeBartolo; Cayce C Hughes; Alexander G Fiks Journal: AMIA Annu Symp Proc Date: 2012-11-03
Authors: Peter G Szilagyi; Christina S Albertin; Alison W Saville; Rebecca Valderrama; Abigail Breck; Laura Helmkamp; Xinkai Zhou; Sitaram Vangala; L Miriam Dickinson; Chi-Hong Tseng; Jonathan D Campbell; Melanie D Whittington; Heather Roth; Cynthia M Rand; Sharon G Humiston; Dina Hoefer; Allison Kempe Journal: J Pediatr Date: 2020-06 Impact factor: 4.406