WhatsApp Versus SMS for 2-Way, Text-Based Follow-Up After Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision in South Africa: Exploration of Messaging Platform Choice
When presented with a choice of 2wT communication platform, clients appear evenly split between SMS and WhatsApp. However, WhatsApp requires a smartphone and data plan, potentially reducing reach at scale. Clients using both platforms responded to 2wT interactive prompts, demonstrating similar effectiveness in engaging clients in follow-up. For telehealth interventions, digital health designers should maintain an SMS-based platform and carefully consider adding WhatsApp as an option for clients, using an implementation science approach to present evidence that guides the best implementation approach for their setting.
Authors
- Caryl Feldacker (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8152-6754)
- Mourice Barasa Wafula (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8599-3168)
- Khumbulani Moyo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0002-7213-2187)
- Madalitso Khwepeya (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4551-338X)
- Nelson Igaba
- Felex Ndebele (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7499-7486)
- Maria Sardini (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0000-1170-6373)
- Jacqueline Pienaar (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6252-4534)
- Evelyn Waweru (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4599-8973)
- Femi Oni
- Hannock Tweya (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8247-1273)
- Geoffrey Setswe (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3646-0722)
- Motshana Phohole
- Tracy Qi Dong (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6769-608X)
- Isabella Fabens
- Calsile Makhele
- Sizwe Hlongwane
Institutions
- University of Washington (US)
- Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (US)
- Fred Hutch Cancer Center (US)
- Aurum Institute (ZA)
- Medic Mobile (KE)
- Right to Care (ZA)
Publication Details
- Journal
- JMIR Formative Research
- Published
- 2024-10-16
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.2196/62762
- Citations
- 7
- Primary Topic
- Genital Health and Disease
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 4.01
Funders
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
- University of Washington
- National Institutes of Health
- Center for AIDS Research, University of Washington
- National Institute of Mental Health
- National Cancer Institute
- National Institute of Nursing Research
- National Institute of General Medical Sciences
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
- National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development