title: Piloting Health Text Messages for Rural Low-Income Mothers: Effects of Source Similarity and Simple Action Steps.
abstract: Approximately 85% of people living in rural settings own a cell phone, and of those, 76% send or receive text messages. Thus, text messaging may be an effective way to reach rural low-income mothers with important information and resources that will improve their health and well-being. This exploratory study examined the utility of using text messaging for disseminating health information to rural low-income mothers. Researchers tested messages that were personalized and sent from a source similar to participants, a mom named Ms. Peg. Ms. Peg sent text messages about physical activity, oral health, nutrition, and health insurance-facts and tips that addressed barriers and lifestyles in rural low-income contexts-over a 4-week period. Participants completed a prequestionnaire assessing healthy behaviors, text message use and preference, and demographic information. Participants then received two text messages for 4 weeks. Findings indicated that participants were satisfied receiving information through text messages, with half finding it "easy" and "convenient." The majority reported being highly motivated by the messages, and for 41% the messages were associated with self-efficacy and intention to act. Close to half of the participants found the use of personalization effective and perceived the messages as "relatable."
authors.affiliation: University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA laldoory@umd.edu.
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Aldoory
authors.affiliation: University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA.
authors.forename: Ronald A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Yaros
authors.affiliation: University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA.
authors.forename: Antonio A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Prado
authors.affiliation: University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA.
authors.forename: Erica
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Roberts
authors.affiliation: Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA.
authors.forename: Rowena L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Briones
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004032:Diet; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007348:Insurance, Health; D008019:Life Style; D008875:Middle Aged; D009035:Mothers / Q000193:education*; D009909:Oral Health / Q000193:education; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011203:Poverty; D012424:Rural Population; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D060145:Text Messaging; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: rural health; social marketing/health communication; women’s health