ResearchPosted on rand.org Feb 3, 2023Published in: Community Health Equity Research & Policy (2023). doi: 10.1177/2752535X221150009
Text messages are useful for health promotion and can be modified during public health emergencies.
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.
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.
We analyzed quantitative and qualitative survey data to gauge participants' experiences with the text messages.
COVID-19 related text messages were a feasible, acceptable addition to a PA intervention for a sample of Latinos.
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.
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