Abstract of Master’s Dissertation
No.1
CourseMaster of Public Health

NameMari Masuzawa

Thesis

Effectiveness of short message service in COVID-19-related behavioral

Titlechanges: a mixed methods study in Kwale county, Kenya

Abstract of Master’s Dissertation
Background :mHealth is defined as “using mobile wireless technologies for health”. In Kenya, theMinistry of Health (MoH) implemented two types of mHealth programs: (i) SMS messaging
for raising awareness (awareness message) on COVID-19 prevention; and (ii), a COVID-19vaccine second dose reminder (reminder). It is unknown the effectiveness of the SMS forchanging individuals’ behavior.

Objectives :The general objective of this study was to estimate the effectiveness of COVID-19-related
SMS in behavioral change among the residents in Kwale, Kenya. The specific objectives
were composed of: (ⅰ) to estimate the proportions of households and individuals who
received COVID-19-related SMS; ( ⅱ ) to describe how individuals perceived theCOVID-19-related SMS and whether they has influenced their behavior on COVID-19
prevention; and (iii) to identify the determinants of individuals’ KAP on COVID-19 in both
qualitative and quantitative manners.

Methods :This study employed a mixed-methods of explanatory sequential design.
Household survey targeting individuals aged≧18. Sample size was calculated enabled toestimate the proportion of households at least one member receiving SMS message(s)(n=148). To identify the determinants of KAP on COVID-19, bivariate and multivariate
analyses were conducted.
Informants were purposefully selected for key informant interviews from the participants inhousehold survey. The contents of the interviews were transcribed and deductively coded forthematic analysis. Quantitative and qualitative data were comprehensively analyzed andinterpreted.

＊The abstract, containing background, objectives, methods, results and conclusion should notexceed 300-500words and printed double sided on A4 paper)

Abstract of Master’s Dissertation
No.2
CourseMaster of Public HealthName

Mari Masuzawa

Results :At least one member of seventy-six of 139 households (55%) received awarenessmessages. Moreover, 122 of 281 participants (43.4%) received awareness messages.
The proportions of participants practicing hand washing were smaller among thosehaving received awareness messages (42.6%) than those not(p=0.425). While theproportions of participants practicing wearing mask were greater among those having
received awareness messages (56.5%) than those not(p=0.186).
Only 37 of 83 (45%) participants were eligible foreseeing a reminder. Among the 37
participants received a reminder (87.1 %) was greater than those who did not (12.9 %)(p=0.003). The proportions of participants vaccinated (second dose) were greater
among those having received reminder (87.1%) than those not (p=0.003).
Educational attainment, sharing mobile phone with mothers, obtaining COVID-19
information from religious meetings, being a uniformed officers were identified as thedeterminants on KAP on COVID-19.
Eighteen informants were selected in maximum variation. Eight themes emerged fromthe thematic analysis. Positive perception on using COVID-19 related SMS wasnarrated. Those messages positively impacted their health behavior. Of eight themes
identified, six (educational attainment, nature of occupational characteristics, watershortage, religious belief, vaccine hesitancy, and traditional medicine) were found to befactors influencing KAP on COVID-19.
Conclusion :The greater of mobile phone coverage among the participants, public health messages
through SMS would certainly have an effective on people’s well-being. This study
showed the effectiveness on vaccine reminder. It is recommended that the SMS
reminder be transmitted to those having completed the initial vaccination.
From the analysis of KAP on COVID-19 prevention, health education from religious
leaders would be effective. Uniformed officers should be recognized as the priority
target group for vaccination-related awareness promotion. (492words)