What's in a message? Delivering sexual health promotion to young people in Australia via text messaging

BackgroundAdvances in communication technologies have dramatically changed how individuals access information and communicate. Recent studies have found that mobile phone text messages (SMS) can be used successfully for short-term behaviour change. However there is no published information examining the acceptability, utility and efficacy of different characteristics of health promotion SMS. This paper presents the results of evaluation focus groups among participants who received twelve sexual health related SMS as part of a study examining the impact of text messaging for sexual health promotion to on young people in Victoria, Australia.MethodsEight gender-segregated focus groups were held with 21 males and 22 females in August 2008. Transcripts of audio recordings were analysed using thematic analysis. Data were coded under one or more themes.ResultsText messages were viewed as an acceptable and 'personal' means of health promotion, with participants particularly valuing the informal language. There was a preference for messages that were positive, relevant and short and for messages to cover a variety of topics. Participants were more likely to remember and share messages that were funny, rhymed and/or tied into particular annual events. The message broadcasting, generally fortnightly on Friday afternoons, was viewed as appropriate. Participants said the messages provided new information, a reminder of existing information and reduced apprehension about testing for sexually transmitted infections.ConclusionsMobile phones, in particular SMS, offer health promoters an exciting opportunity to engage personally with a huge number of individuals for low cost. The key elements emerging from this evaluation, such as message style, language and broadcast schedule are directly relevant to future studies using SMS for health promotion, as well as for future health promotion interventions in other mediums that require short formats, such as social networking sites.

[1]  B. Fjeldsoe,et al.  Behavior change interventions delivered by mobile telephone short-message service. , 2009, American journal of preventive medicine.

[2]  E. Balas,et al.  Healthcare via cell phones: a systematic review. , 2009, Telemedicine journal and e-health : the official journal of the American Telemedicine Association.

[3]  K. Ethier,et al.  Adolescent women underestimate their susceptibility to sexually transmitted infections , 2003, Sexually transmitted infections.

[4]  Rhian Parker,et al.  Implementing chlamydia screening: what do women think? A systematic review of the literature , 2006, BMC public health.

[5]  Brianna S Fjeldsoe,et al.  MobileMums: A Randomized Controlled Trial of an SMS-Based Physical Activity Intervention , 2010, Annals of behavioral medicine : a publication of the Society of Behavioral Medicine.

[6]  M. Lim,et al.  Sexual-risk behaviour, self-perceived risk and knowledge of sexually transmissible infections among young Australians attending a music festival. , 2007, Sexual health.

[7]  Yufei Yuan,et al.  Can wireless text messaging improve adherence to preventive activities? Results of a randomised controlled trial , 2009, Int. J. Medical Informatics.

[8]  A. Kimball,et al.  Text-message reminders to improve sunscreen use: a randomized, controlled trial using electronic monitoring. , 2009, Archives of dermatology.

[9]  K. Newton,et al.  Pedometers and Text Messaging to Increase Physical Activity , 2009, Diabetes Care.

[10]  J. M. Oakes,et al.  Improving participation in Chlamydia screening programs: perspectives of high-risk youth. , 2003, Archives of pediatrics & adolescent medicine.

[11]  M. Lim,et al.  Determining the Impact of Text Messaging for Sexual Health Promotion to Young People , 2010, Sexually transmitted diseases.

[12]  M. Lim,et al.  SMS STI: A Review of the Uses of Mobile Phone Text Messaging in Sexual Health , 2008, International journal of STD & AIDS.

[13]  M. Lim,et al.  Impact of text and email messaging on the sexual health of young people: a randomised controlled trial , 2011, Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health.

[14]  W. Riley,et al.  College Smoking-Cessation Using Cell Phone Text Messaging , 2004, Journal of American college health : J of ACH.

[15]  A. Giddens.  The consequences of modernity , 1990 .

[16]  K. Patrick,et al.  A Text Message–Based Intervention for Weight Loss: Randomized Controlled Trial , 2009, Journal of medical Internet research.

[17]  N. Joo,et al.  Mobile phone short message service messaging for behaviour modification in a community-based weight control programme in Korea , 2007, Journal of telemedicine and telecare.

[18]  Douglas Ezzy,et al.  Qualitative Research Methods: A Health Focus , 1999 .

[19]  C. Free,et al.  Txt2stop: a pilot randomised controlled trial of mobile phone-based smoking cessation support , 2009, Tobacco Control.

[20]  H. Cole-Lewis,et al.  Text messaging as a tool for behavior change in disease prevention and management. , 2010, Epidemiologic reviews.

[21]  N. Barengo,et al.  Weight loss by mobile phone: a 1-year effectiveness study , 2009, Public Health Nutrition.

[22]  Mary J Wills,et al.  Do u smoke after txt? Results of a randomised trial of smoking cessation using mobile phone text messaging , 2005, Tobacco Control.