RESUMO
Analisar o potencial de eficácia do envio de mensagens validadas (texto e imagens), via WhatsApp®, na promoção da adesão ao uso de máscaras, distanciamento social e associar às variáveis sociodemográficas. Trata-se de um estudo com desenho quase-experimental, do tipo pré e pós-teste com 132 participantes, acompanhados por 60 dias. As mensagens foram enviadas semanalmente junto com os formulários de adesão. Ao final da intervenção os participantes responderam ao questionário de satisfação da pesquisa. Foram realizados testes de comparação e análises descritivas. Os achados deste estudo demonstraram impacto positivo da intervenção no envio de mensagens validadas, via WhatsApp®, na adesão ao uso de máscaras e distanciamento social durante a pandemia da COVID-19. A intervenção proposta neste estudo apresenta potencial de eficácia para adesão às medidas preventivas contra o vírus do SARS-CoV-2 e constitui uma ferramenta valiosa para profissionais de saúde atuarem no combate à pandemia.
To analyze the potential efficacy of sending validated messages (text and images) via WhatsApp® in promoting adherence to the use of masks and social distancing and to evaluate its association with the sociodemographic variables. This is a study with a quasi-experimental design, of the pre and post test type. 132 participants were enrolled and followed up for 60 days. Validated messages were sent weekly along with the forms referring to adherence. At the end of the intervention, they answered the survey satisfaction questionnaire. Descriptive analyzes and tests were carried out to compare measures of adherence to mask use and social distancing. The findings of this study demonstrated the positive impact of the intervention in sending validated messages via WhatsApp® on adherence to the use of masks and social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic. The intervention proposed in this study has potential efficacy for adherence to preventive measures against the SARS-CoV-2 virus and constitutes a valuable tool for health professionals to act in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.