HealthyhornsTXT: A Text-Messaging Program to Promote College Student Health and Wellness. Issue 6 (November 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Glowacki, Elizabeth M.; Kirtz, Susan; Hughes Wagner, Jessica; Cance, Jessica Duncan; Barrera, Denise; Bernhardt, Jay M.
• Is Part Of: Health promotion practice. Volume 19:Issue 6(2018)
• Page Start: 844
• Page End: 855
• Publication Date: 2018-11
• Subjects: text message intervention -- health messaging -- mobile health -- campus health -- health promotion; Health promotion -- Periodicals; Health promotion -- United States -- Periodicals; Health education -- Periodicals; Health education -- United States -- Periodicals; 613
• DOI: 10.1177/1524839917754089
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1524-8399

Abstract

Objective : Text-messaging interventions positively affect health behaviors, but their use on college campuses has been limited. Text messaging serves as a relatively affordable way to communicate with large audiences and is one of the preferred modes of communication for young adults. This study examined the feasibility and acceptability of a campus-wide, health text–messaging program. Participants : The subscriber pool consisted of approximately 6, 000 undergraduate students from a large, southern university. From that pool, 1, 095 participants (64% female; 41% White) completed a posttest survey. Method : Text messages covered a range of health topics and information about campus resources. Research was conducted from August through December 2015. Process data were collected throughout the semester; participants' attitudes were assessed via an online survey at the program's conclusion. Results : Students demonstrated engagement with the messages throughout the semester as evidenced by replies to text-back keywords and clicks on website links embedded within messages. Messages about sleep, stress management, and hydration were considered most relevant. The majority of participants (61%) reported increased awareness regarding their health. Conclusions : Text-messaging interventions are a feasible strategy to improve college student health.