Understanding the sociodemographic factors associated with intention to receive SMS messages for health information in a rural area of Bangladesh

Fakir M Amirul Islam; Elisabeth A Lambert; Sheikh Mohammed Shariful Islam; M Arzan Hosen; Bruce R Thompson; Gavin W Lambert

doi:10.1186/s12889-021-12418-9

Understanding the sociodemographic factors associated with intention to receive SMS messages for health information in a rural area of Bangladesh

BMC Public Health. 2021 Dec 30;21(1):2326. doi: 10.1186/s12889-021-12418-9.

Authors

Fakir M Amirul Islam^{1

2}, Elisabeth A Lambert^{3

4}, Sheikh Mohammed Shariful Islam⁵, M Arzan Hosen⁶, Bruce R Thompson³, Gavin W Lambert^{3

4}

Affiliations

¹ School of Health Sciences, Swinburne University of Technology, John Street, Hawthorn, VIC 3122, Australia. fislam@swin.edu.au.
² Organization for Rural Community Development (ORCD), Dariapur, Narail 7500, Bangladesh. fislam@swin.edu.au.
³ School of Health Sciences, Swinburne University of Technology, John Street, Hawthorn, VIC 3122, Australia.
⁴ Iverson Health Innovation Research Institute, Swinburne University of Technology, John Street, Hawthorn, VIC 3122, Australia.
⁵ Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN), Faculty of Health Deakin University, Burwood, VIC 3125, Australia.
⁶ Organization for Rural Community Development (ORCD), Dariapur, Narail 7500, Bangladesh.

Abstract

Background: The use of digital interventions for managing chronic diseases is significantly increasing. The aim of this study was to estimate the proportion of ownership of a mobile phone, and factors associated with the ability to read and access SMS delivered health information, and willingness to pay for it among people with hypertension in a rural area in Bangladesh.

Methods: Data were collected from 307 participants aged 30 to 75 years with hypertension from a rural area in Bangladesh from December 2020 to January 2021. Outcome measures included ownership of a mobile phone, ability to read SMS, willingness to receive and pay for health information by SMS. Associated factors included age, gender, level of education, occupation, and socioeconomic status. We used regression analysis to identify variables associated with the outcome variables.

Results: Overall, 189 (61.6%) people owned a mobile phone which was higher in men (73.3% vs. 50%, p < 0.001), younger people (82.6% aged 30-39 years vs. 53.5% aged 60-75 years, p < 0.001). Of the total participants, 207 (67.4%) were willing to receive SMS, and 155 (50.5%) were willing to pay for receiving SMS for health information. The prevalence was significantly higher among professionals (odds ratio (OR), 95% confidence interval (CI): 4.58, 1.73-12.1) and businesspersons (OR 3.68, 95% CI 1.49-9.10) compared to farmers, respectively. The median (interquartile range [IQR]) of willingness to pay for health information SMS was 10 (28) Bangladesh Taka (BDT) (1 BDT ~ 0.013 US$), and there were no specific factors that were associated with the willingness of any higher amounts of payment. In terms of reading SMS of people who own a mobile, less than half could read SMS. The proportion of people who could read SMS was significantly higher among men, younger people, educated people, middle class or rich people, professionals or businesspersons. Of people who could read SMS, the majority read SMS occasionally.

Conclusion: A significant proportion of people are unable to read SMS. However, people are willing to receive and pay to receive SMS for health information. Education and awareness programs should be conducted among targeted groups, including people with low education and women.

Keywords: Bangladesh; Mobile phone; Ownership; Reading SMS; Rural area.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adult
Aged
Bangladesh / epidemiology
Cell Phone*
Educational Status
Female
Humans
Intention
Male
Middle Aged
Sociodemographic Factors
Text Messaging*