Abstract:
BACKGROUND : We conducted a single-centered randomized controlled single-blinded trial (i.e. trained interviewers;
blinded to group allocation). The target population included adolescent girls in the Kumbo West Health District
(KWHD) of Cameroon. This trial tested the efficacy of weekly educational one-way text messages to improve perception
of adolescent girls on sexo-reproductive health.
METHODS : Allocation concealment (1:1) was determined by sequentially numbered sealed opaque envelopes. A
total of 398 participants either received the mobile phone sexo-reproductive health text messages (199) or not (199).
A blinded program secretary send out text messages and recorded delivery. Data was collected and managed at
baseline and at 6 month intervals using an interviewer-administered questionnaire before and after intervention, then
analysed using the independent T-test (mean differences) and ANOVA on SPSS version 21.
RESULTS : The mean knowledge, attitude and practice scores respectively increased significantly from 6.03, 4.01
and 3.45 at baseline to 7.99, 5.83 and 4.99 at the end of the study. After performing ANOVA for the overall correct
knowledge, positive attitudes and good practices respectively for between and within the intervention groups, we
obtained: (F = 15.12, P = 0.023), (F = 60.21, P = 0.001) and (F = 57., P = 0.013) which showed statistical significance thus
indicating the overall improvement in adolescents girls perception as a result of the intervention and not by chance.
Majority (65.3%) of the participants were satisfied with the Short Message Service (SMS).
CONCLUSION : This trial has contributed to the body of knowledge and evidence on the use of mobile phone technology
using educative SMS to improve adolescent girl’s perception on sexo-reproductive health in Cameroon.
