288984
Using mobile technology and social media to engage promotoras de salud in Latino health
Tuesday, November 5, 2013
: 1:30 p.m. - 1:50 p.m.
Lourdes Baezconde-Garbanati, PhD, MPH,
Institute for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Research, Department of Preventive Medicine, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Rosa Barahona,
Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Marisela Robles, MS,
Office of Community Engagement, Southern California Clinical and Translational Science Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Katrina Kubicek, PhD,
Division of Research on Children, Youth and Families, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
Rina Suzuki,
University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Robert Garcia, MPH, ATC,
Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
BACKGROUND: We present best practices from an innovative intervention to improve heart health engaging promotoras de salud (community health workers) via mobile technology and social media. METHODS: Thirty promotoras (15 in Los Angeles and 15 in agricultural Kern County) were trained to implement NHLBI's Su Corazon-Su Vida curriculum to 900 Spanish-speaking community residents during 11-weekly sessions. We analyzed natural modes of communication among promotoras, and evaluated content and quality of on-line trainings. RESULTS: Promotoras preferred to communicate with each other using traditional personal communication via cell phone, in-person boosters, and text-based Spanish language messaging and social media. Over 52% of promotoras used Facebook to communicate with each other; encourage one another in attaining recruitment goals, and transferring of important project knowledge. More promotoras in rural Kern (32%) versus urban Los Angeles (20%) used social media. In addition 84% (n=42) participated in the six days on-line training, including webinar sesions, completing pre/post and 30 days follow-up on-line protocols. CONCLUSIONS: Mobile technology and social media enhanced participation of promotoras de salud, mostly from rural communities, in heart health curriculum delivery. Promotoras already working in agencies were most interested in the webinars; others widely used Facebook and text messaging, combined with periodic in-person boosters and telephone communication. This approach enhanced trainings, resulting in more continuous and empowering interactions; leading to higher recruitment and more faithful protocol implementation. Promotoras de salud are at the confluence of traditional and non-traditional communication, using online videos, webinars, text messaging, written communication, Facebook, Twitter, and cell phones widely.
Learning Areas:
Chronic disease management and prevention
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Public health or related education
Learning Objectives:
Describe use of social media and mobile technology by promotores de salud
Compare differences in use of mobile technology and social media in urban versus rural settings with promotores de salud
Formulate strategies and articulate best practices in engaging promotores de salud in implementing the NHLBI heart health program, Su Corazon-Su Vida, using social media and mobile technology
Keyword(s): Communication, Community Health Promoters
Presenting author's disclosure statement:Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: Marisela Robles is the Community Liaison for the Southern California Clinical and Translational Science Institute (SC CTSI). Mariselaâs role as liaison for the SC CTSI includes working with local community organizations, community clinics and researchers to identify potential collaborative research projects and support research teams in the process of building partnerships. Ms. Robles has worked in community-based research for 7 years. She received her masterâs degree in Community Development from UC Davis.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines,
and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed
in my presentation.
