Effectiveness of text messages in the adherence to COVID-19 prevention practices: a quasi-experimental study

to analyze the effectiveness of messages sent by cell phone on adherence to the use of masks, hand hygiene and social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic.

a multicenter quasi-experimental clinical trial conducted in four Brazilian universities between July and October 2020. The sample consisted of 429 people from different Brazilian cities who received messages every two days for seven weeks about individual protection measures. Adherence to the measures was analyzed by an instrument developed by the researchers of the main center and refined in collaboration with researchers from the other centers, consisting of 13 questions and a five-point Likert scale, with the overall score ranging from 13 to 65 points, in which the higher the score, the greater the adherence. Statistical analysis was performed using multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA), considering p<0.05 as significant.

an improvement in the adherence score was observed over the weeks. When compared with the score obtained before the intervention, there was a significant improvement in adherence in the last two weeks (p<0.001).

the intervention using messages sent by cell phone showed to be effective in promoting adherence to individual protection practices against COVID-19. However, the observed sample loss may have affected the results, limiting the generalizability of the findings. Therefore, the effects identified should be interpreted with caution. The Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials (RBR-2s94rb).