Effectiveness of Text Messages for Positive Change in Behaviour Amongst Young Adult Tobacco Users in Rural Wardha: Quasi Experimental Study Gondnale Goral1, Ingole Abhishek2, Gaidhane Abhay3 1Community Medicine, NMC, Sawangi (M) Wardha, India 2Head of Department Community Medicine, NMC, Sawangi (M) Wardha, India 3Assistant Professor, Community Medicine, NMC, Sawangi (M) Wardha, India Online published on 29 December, 2017. Abstract Addictions developed in adolescence are likely to persist into adult life. The most susceptible time for tobacco use in India is during adolescence and early adulthood (15–24 years). Hence, an innovative community-based intervention for reducing primary uptake of tobacco among young adults is on priority. The objective of this study is to study the effectiveness of text messages for positive change in behaviour amongst young adult tobacco users in rural Wardha. A community based interventional study was carried out. All the young adults in the age group of 12-25years and willing to participate from selected village were enrolled in the study after informed consent. At recruitment, information like sociodemographic data, tobacco use pattern, addictions in family and peers was collected. The mobile numbers of the enrolled participants were taken and messages disseminating anti-tobacco health education were sent at fixed interval of time. The follow up was done at 3 months and 6 months. The effectiveness was measured on the parameters like reading the message, recollecting the most recent message correctly, understanding of the message and change in behaviour in terms of avoiding company of peers who consume tobacco and others. The results show the acceptability of the text messages by reading and recollecting the message at 6 months. But there was not a significant change in understanding the message and avoiding the company of peers. A formative research through Focussed Group Discussions was conducted which showed the feasibility and acceptability of text messaging to young adults in rural settings. Top Keywords Young adults, Text messages, Wardha. Top |