Text messages are useful for health promotion and can be modified during public health emergencies.
Purpose
Describe how we developed and implemented a physical activity (PA) text messaging component within a faith-based intervention, modified the text message content in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and evaluated participants’ perceptions of the modified text messages.
Research Design and Study Sample
PA promotion text messages were delivered to predominately Spanish-speaking, churchgoing Latino adults (n = 284) in Los Angeles, California. In 2020, we modified the messages to disseminate COVID-19-related information and support and share virtual PA resources.
Data Collection and Analysis
We analyzed quantitative and qualitative survey data to gauge participants’ experiences with the text messages.
Results
COVID-19 related text messages were a feasible, acceptable addition to a PA intervention for a sample of Latinos.
Conclusions
Throughout the pandemic, the messages enabled continued communication and support for PA and protection from COVID-19 in a population at high-risk of health inequities.
RathboneALPrescottJ. The use of mobile apps and SMS messaging as physical and mental health interventions: systematic review. J Med Internet Res2017; 19(8): e7740.
2.
BrewerLCHayesSNCaronAR, et al.Promoting cardiovascular health and wellness among African-Americans: community participatory approach to design an innovative mobile-health intervention. PLoS ONE2019; 14(8): e0218724.
3.
KingACCamperoISheatsJL, et al.Testing the effectiveness of physical activity advice delivered via text messaging vs. human phone advisors in a Latino population: the On The Move randomized controlled trial design and methods. Contemp Clin Trials2020; 95: 106084.
4.
BenitezTJDunsigerSIPekmeziDJ, et al.Design and rationale for a randomized trial of a theory- and technology- enhanced physical activity intervention for Latinas: the Seamos Activas II study. Contemp Clin Trials2020; 96: 106081.
5.
YoulPHSoyerHPBaadePD, et al.Can skin cancer prevention and early detection be improved via mobile phone text messaging? a randomised, attention control trial. Prev Med2015; 71: 50–56.
6.
HorshamCBaadePKouK, et al.Optimizing texting interventions for melanoma prevention and early detection: a latin square crossover RCT. Am J Prev Med2021; 61(3): 348–356.
7.
AbromsLCAhujaMKodlY, et al.Text2Quit: results from a pilot test of a personalized, interactive mobile health smoking cessation program. J Health Commun2012; 17(Suppl 1): 44–53.
8.
AbromsLCChiangSMacherelliL, et al.Assessing the National Cancer Institute’s SmokefreeMOM text-messaging program for pregnant smokers: pilot randomized trial. J Med Internet Res2017; 19(10): e333.
9.
ChenJLGuedesCMCooperBA, et al.Short-term efficacy of an innovative mobile phone technology-based intervention for weight management for overweight and obese adolescents: pilot study. Interact J Med Res2017; 6(2): e12.
10.
MüllerAMKhooSMorrisT. Text messaging for exercise promotion in older adults from an upper-middle-income country: randomized controlled trial. J Med Internet Res2016; 18(1): e5.
11.
LarsenBABenitezTJMendoza-VasconezAS, et al.Randomized trial of a physical activity intervention for Latino men: Activo. Am J Prev Med2020; 59(2): 219–227.
12.
TuckerSFarringtonMLanningham-FosterLM, et al.Worksite physical activity intervention for ambulatory clinic nursing staff. Workplace Health Saf2016; 64(7): 313–325.
13.
WhitleyMDPayánDDFlórezKR, et al.Feasibility and acceptability of a mobile messaging program within a church-based healthy living intervention for African Americans and Latinos. Health Informatics J2020; 26(2): 880–896.
14.
BuisLRHirzelLTurskeSA, et al.Use of a text message program to raise type 2 diabetes risk awareness and promote health behavior change (part I): assessment of participant reach and adoption. J Med Internet Res2013; 15(12): e281.
15.
Al-OzairiERidgeKTaghadomE, et al.Diabetes and TelecommunicationS (DATES) study to support self-management for people with type 2 diabetes: a randomized controlled trial. BMC Public Health2018; 18(1): 1249.
16.
DeroseKPWilliamsMVFlórezKR, et al.Eat, Pray, Move: A pilot cluster randomized controlled trial of a multilevel church-based intervention to address obesity among African Americans and Latinos. Am J Health Promot2019; 33(4): 586–596.
17.
BuchholzSWIngramDWilburJ, et al.Using photos to develop text messages to promote walking. J Nurs Scholarsh2013; 45(4): 380–387.
18.
ChandlerJSoxLKellamK, et al.Impact of a culturally tailored mhealth medication regimen self-management program upon blood pressure among hypertensive Hispanic adults. Int J Environ Res Public Health2019; 16(7), 1226.
19.
CarlsonSAFultonJESchoenbornCA, et al.Trend and prevalence estimates based on the 2008 physical activity guidelines for Americans. Am J Prev Med2010; 39(4): 305–313.
20.
HarrisCDWatsonKBCarlsonSA, et al.Adult participation in aerobic and muscle-strengthening physical activities—United States, 2011. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep2013; 62(17): 326–601.
Rodriguez-DiazCEGuilamo-RamosVMenaL, et al.Risk for COVID-19 infection and death among Latinos in the United States: examining heterogeneity in transmission dynamics. Ann Epidemiol2020; 52: 46–53.
23.
RileyARChenY-HMatthayEC, et al.Excess death among Latino people in California during the COVID-19 pandemic. SSM Popul Health2021; 15: 100860.
24.
VargasEDSanchezGR. COVID-19 is having a devastating impact on the economic well-being of Latino Families. J Econ Race Policy2020; 3(4): 262–269.
25.
CaloWAMurrayAFrancisE, et al.Reaching the Hispanic community about COVID-19 through existing chronic disease prevention programs. Prev Chronic Dis2020; 17: E49–E49.
26.
BirkenstockLChenTChintalaA, et al.Pivoting a community-based participatory research project for mental health and immigrant youth in Philadelphia during COVID-19. Health Promot Pract2022; 23(1): 32–34.
BeanHGrevstadNKoutsoukosA, et al.Exploring whether Wireless Emergency Alerts can help impede the spread of Covid-19. In: International crisis and risk communication conference 2021, Orlando, FL, March 8-10, 2021.
AgyapongVIOHrabokMShalabyR, et al.Text4Hope: receiving daily supportive text messages for 3 months during the COVID-19 pandemic reduces stress, anxiety, and depression. Disaster Med Public Health Prep2021: 16, 1–5.
33.
AgyapongVIOShalabyRHrabokM, et al.Mental health outreach via supportive text messages during the COVID-19 pandemic: improved mental health and reduced suicidal ideation after six weeks in subscribers of Text4Hope compared to a control population. Int J Environ Res Public Health2021; 18(4): 2157.
34.
Perales-PuchaltJAcosta-RullánMRamírez-MantillaM, et al.A text messaging intervention to support Latinx family caregivers of individuals with dementia (CuidaTEXT): development and usability study. JMIR Aging2022; 5(2): e35625.
35.
PerezLGCohenDASeelamR, et al.Church contextual factors associated with Latinx physical activity and park use. Fam Community Health2022; 45(3): 163–173.
36.
DeroseKPCohenDAHanB, et al.Linking churches & parks to promote physical activity among Latinos: rationale and design of the Parishes & Parks cluster randomized trial. Contemp Clin Trials2022; 123: 106954.
37.
BuchholzSWIngramDWilburJ, et al.Bilingual Text4Walking food service employee intervention pilot study. JMIR Mhealth Uhealth2016; 4(2): e68.
38.
Telerivet. Telerivet platform overview, https://telerivet.com/. (accessed 23 August 2022).
39.
ArmstrongTBullF. Development of the World Health Organization Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ). J Public Health2006; 14(2): 66–70.
40.
Department of Health and Human Services. Physical activity guidelines for Americans. 2nd ed.Washington, DC: Department of Health and Human Services, 2018.
MheidlyNFaresJ. Leveraging media and health communication strategies to overcome the COVID-19 infodemic. J Public Health Policy2020; 41(4): 410–420.
43.
CervantesLHazelCAManciniD, et al.Perspectives of Latinx individuals who were unvaccinated and hospitalized for COVID-19: a qualitative study. JAMA Netw Open2022; 5(6): e2218362
44.
DeroseKPRodriguezC. A systematic review of church-based health interventions among Latinos. J Immigr Minor Health2020; 22(4): 795–815.
45.
MaxwellAEVargasCSantiferR, et al.Facilitators and challenges to health promotion in Black and Latino churches. J Racial Ethn Health Disparities2022; 9(1): 59–67.
46.
Wiltsey StirmanSBaumannAAMillerCJ. The FRAME: an expanded framework for reporting adaptations and modifications to evidence-based interventions. Implement Sci2019; 14(1): 1–10.
47.
DhananiLYFranzB. The role of news consumption and trust in public health leadership in shaping COVID-19 knowledge and prejudice. Front Psychol2020; 11: 560828.
48.
HamiltonLCSaffordTG. Elite cues and the rapid decline in trust in science agencies on COVID-19. Sociol Perspect2021; 64(5): 988–1011.
