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Using social media to increase preventative behaviors against arboviral diseases: a pilot study among teens in the Dominican Republic

  
@article{MH28506,
	author = {Jakob Gamboa and Molly M. Lamb and Pedro de la Cruz and Sheana Bull and Daniel Olson},
	title = {Using social media to increase preventative behaviors against  arboviral diseases: a pilot study among teens in the Dominican  Republic},
	journal = {mHealth},
	volume = {5},
	number = {0},
	year = {2019},
	keywords = {},
	abstract = {Background: Social media presents new opportunities for community-based interventions. However, studies demonstrating effectiveness and practicality in resource-poor areas of Latin America and the Caribbean are lacking. In these areas at high risk for vector-transmitted illnesses, disease prevention practices at the community level are necessary for sustainable improvement. This study evaluated social media as a peer-to-peer health communication tool to promote education and encourage preventative behaviors against arboviral diseases among youth in the Dominican Republic. 
Methods: In 2016, 31 youth ages 14–18 years from three cities in the Dominican Republic were enrolled into either of two Facebook groups receiving a 3-month arbovirus prevention-focused intervention with weekly educational posts, or a control group. Arboviral prevention, knowledge, and practice were evaluated with pre-and post-surveys. The level of online engagement was analyzed through online metrics. Linear regression models were used to determine the association between metrics of online activity and pre- and post-survey score difference.
Results: Knowledge scores increased significantly in the intervention groups (51.1% increase) compared to the control group (1.2% increase, P},
	issn = {2306-9740},	url = {https://mhealth.amegroups.org/article/view/28506}
}