Text message support for families facing food insecurity
Novel Mobile Resource for Food Insecurity Randomized Controlled Trial
This study tests if sending text messages with food resource information can help families of recently hospitalized children who are struggling with food insecurity, compared to just giving them a paper handout when they leave the hospital.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 500 (estimated) |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Vanderbilt University Medical Center Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Nashville, Tennessee) |
| Trial ID | NCT06919445 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This clinical trial evaluates the effectiveness of a text-message-based intervention called Text Connect, designed to provide food resource information to families of recently hospitalized children experiencing food insecurity. The study compares this innovative approach to the traditional method of delivering a paper handout at hospital discharge. By utilizing universal food insecurity screening and an updated online resource database, the intervention aims to improve household food security and enhance engagement with available resources. The anonymous nature of the text messages is intended to empower families to seek help without stigma.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are caregivers of children who have been admitted to the hospital and have been identified as experiencing food insecurity.
Not a fit: Patients who primarily speak a language other than English or Spanish, or those with repeat hospital admissions during the study period, may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this intervention could significantly improve access to food resources for families in need, thereby enhancing their food security.
How similar studies have performed: While this approach is innovative, similar studies utilizing mobile health interventions for food insecurity have shown promise, indicating potential for success.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Must be a caregiver of a child admitted to the hospital * Must have a positive screening for Food Insecurity documented in the Electronic Health Record as conducted as part of the child's routine clinical care Exclusion Criteria: * Primary language other than English or Spanish * Repeat admission during the study period
Where this trial is running
Nashville, Tennessee
- Monroe Carell Jr Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt — Nashville, Tennessee, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Cristin Q Fritz, MD, MPH
- Email: cristin.fritz@vumc.org
- Phone: 615-936-7276
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.