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Keep on brushing: a longitudinal study of motivational text messaging in young adults aged 18–24 years receiving Work and Income Support
Author(s) -
Schluter Philip,
Lee Martin,
Hamilton Greg,
Coe Gill,
MesserPerkins Heather,
Smith Belinda
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
journal of public health dentistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.64
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1752-7325
pISSN - 0022-4006
DOI - 10.1111/jphd.12079
Subject(s) - gee , generalized estimating equation , attrition , ethnic group , demography , medicine , attendance , odds , gerontology , longitudinal study , psychology , logistic regression , dentistry , statistics , mathematics , sociology , anthropology , economics , economic growth , pathology
Summary Objectives Using text messaging, underpinned by the Health Belief Model, this study aimed to improve tooth brushing frequencies among unemployed young adults aged 18–24 years. Methods Set within Work and Income's Linwood Community Link office (one Christchurch branch of the New Zealand Government's employment and beneficiary services), unemployed young adults aged 18–24 years with access to a mobile phone were recruited using either a purpose‐built computer kiosk or Work and Income's Facebook site. Participants completed a baseline survey and then received and responded to a series of motivational text messages over 10 weeks. Self‐reported tooth brushing frequency was the primary outcome variable. Important socio‐demographic (age, gender, ethnicity, employment status) and method‐specific (level of attrition, distribution of successful text messages deliveries, active withdrawal) variables were also collected. Longitudinal analyses of these responses employed generalized estimating equation (GEE) models. Results Four hundred and three registered for the trial, of whom 171 (42%) were eligible. Self‐reported tooth brushing twice or more per day increased from 51% at baseline to 70% at week 3, 74% at week 6, and 73% at week 9 – an increase significant in crude ( P < 0.001) and adjusted ( P < 0.001) GEE analyses. No important differences were noted between age, gender, or ethnic groups, although attrition was relatively high with only 26% participating by week 9. However, no evidence of differential attrition was observed. Conclusions Invention through motivational text messaging improved the measured oral health self‐care behavior in a hard‐to‐reach group carrying a disproportionately heavy oral health burden. This intervention warrants further investigation.