Using mobile technology and social media to engage promotoras de salud in Latino health

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.