Zoom & WhatsApp Digital Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) Enhance Community Engaged Research with Women Immigrants from Mexico.

This article demonstrates how digital information and communication technologies (ICTs) (Zoom/WhatsApp) unexpectedly and counterintuitively proved to be valuable tools for community-engaged health research when, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, they were integrated into a research study testing a peer support group intervention with female immigrants from Mexico. Because of pandemic restrictions, we changed the study protocol to hold meetings remotely via Zoom rather than in person as originally planned. Because we recognized that this would lack some opportunities for participants to interact and develop relationships, we created a WhatsApp chat for each group. Despite challenges for participants to use ICTs and participant-stated preference for in-person meetings, the results demonstrated that participants overwhelmingly endorsed these technologies as promoting access, participation, engagement, and satisfaction. Zoom/WhatsApp created a valuable environment both as a method for conducting research with this population, but also as part of the intervention for immigrant women to support and learn from each other. ICT adaptations have now permanently changed the way we conduct community-engaged health research.

WhatsApp-based intervention in urban Colombia to support the prevention of arboviral diseases: a feasibility study.

Arboviral diseases remain a significant health concern worldwide, with over half the world's population at risk for dengue alone. Without a vaccine or targeted treatment, the most effective strategy of prevention is vector management with community involvement. mHealth interventions, like WhatsApp, offer promising results for engaging communities and promoting healthier behaviors. This study explores the feasibility of integrating WhatsApp in vector control activities to improve arbovirus prevention in Colombia. A mixed-methods approach was employed to assess the WhatsApp-based intervention. WhatsApp messages were sent to 45 community women for 5 weeks to increase their knowledge and practices about dengue, Zika, and chikungunya. Pre-and-post surveys and focus group discussions were conducted in community settings to measure the feasibility and acceptability of this intervention. Chat reviews were done to assess the usability of users. A total of 1566 messages were exchanged in 45 WhatsApp chats. High acceptance and good usability (82% of users used the app for replying) were reported in this study. WhatsApp messages were perceived as short, clear, and enjoyable. Users liked the frequency, and design of messages. Pre- and post-surveys demonstrated improvements in the knowledge and practices of arboviral diseases. The intention to apply this knowledge in practice was reflected in a significant improvement, particularly in cleaning the laundry tank once a week (pre 62.1% to post 89.6%, p < 0.008). This study suggests that using WhatsApp as an additional tool could be a feasible, acceptable, and affordable strategy for improving the adoption of better practices in the prevention of arboviral diseases.

Effects of a WhatsApp-Assisted Health Educational Intervention for Cardiac Rehabilitation: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial Protocol.

Although the effectiveness of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programs in secondary prevention is well-recognized, there is a lack of studies exploring the potential of mobile health to enhance educational interventions within CR. The objective is to assess the impact of a structured WhatsApp-assisted health educational intervention, in conjunction with the usual care, compared to the usual care alone among participants enrolled in a CR program. The trial will recruit 32 participants enrolled in a CR program, who will be randomly assigned to a structured WhatsApp-assisted health educational intervention plus usual care or usual care alone group. The intervention will span 4 weeks, with assessments at baseline, 4 weeks, and 3, 6, and 12 months. The primary outcome measure is the cardiovascular risk factors knowledge score. Secondary outcomes include physical activity levels, anxiety and depression, and quality of life. Expected results include improved knowledge of cardiovascular risk factors, increased physical activity levels, and better mental health outcomes in the intervention group. Additionally, an enhancement in the overall quality of life is anticipated. These findings are expected to underscore the value of integrating mHealth with traditional CR methods, potentially shaping future approaches in chronic disease management and prevention.

Family-Based WhatsApp Intervention to Promote Healthy Eating Behaviors Among Amazonian School Children: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Stunting and micronutrient deficiencies have persistently affected children in the Brazilian Amazon for decades. However, in recent years, a notable increase in childhood overweight prevalence has been observed, particularly in the context of heightened food insecurity exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the limited number of effective solutions proposed to tackle this problem, digital interventions have shown great promise worldwide in preventing obesity and promoting healthy diets. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to describe the protocol of a family-based WhatsApp intervention, specifically designed to investigate the efficacy of multimedia messaging in preventing excessive weight gain and improving healthy eating practices among school-aged children in the Amazon region. METHODS: This study protocol outlines a theory-driven randomized controlled trial based on the cognitive theory of multimedia learning and the social cognitive theory. A total of 240 parents or caregivers of children enrolled in the Maternal and Child Health and Nutrition Cohort Study in Acre (MINA-Brazil) will be recruited by phone and social media. The intervention group will receive persuasive multimedia messages through WhatsApp over 19 weeks, while the waitlist control group will remain in the usual care. The primary outcome is a change in children's BMI in z score. Secondary outcomes are changes in dietary intake and biochemical indicators of the children. Outcome measures will be assessed at baseline and 5 months after randomization in comparison to usual care. The analysis will use an intent-to-treat approach and will be conducted using the statistical package Stata (version 18.0), with a significance level set at P<.05. Paired and unpaired 2-tailed t tests will be applied to compare mean changes in the outcomes. RESULTS: Data collection started in June 2023, and final measurements are scheduled to be completed in December 2023. The results of the main analysis are expected to be available in 2024. CONCLUSIONS: This innovative multimedia message intervention holds significant potential for fostering behavioral changes among Amazonian children. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Brazilian Clinical Trials Registry RBR-5zdnw6t; https://ensaiosclinicos.gov.br/rg/RBR-5zdnw6t. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/54446.

Use of Electronic Messages in the Follow-Up of Patients With Heart Failure: Randomized Pilot Study.

Heart Failure (HF) has been ide.epsied as an important public health problem, with high morbidity and mortality, despite advances in current therapy. New strategies are demanded to reduce the number of hospitalizations and deaths. Telemedicine approaches could improve the management of patients with cardiovascular conditions. Sixty patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) were randomized to this pilot study. Weekly electronic messages were sent for 1 year. The use of telemedicine was effective instrument for the evolutionary follow-up of patients with HFrEF during the COVID-19 pandemic, but did not demonstrate an impact on the reduction of cardiovascular outcomes or hospitalization for HF. REBEC - Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials ide.epsier RBR-5q6x56k. Monitoring heart disease patients via WhatsApp during the COVID-19 pandemic. Available from http://www.ensaiosclinicos.gov.br/rg/RBR-5q6x56k/.

Ministérios no WhatsApp: gênero, sensorialidades e transformações ético-políticas no cotidiano de mulheres evangélicas / Ministerios en WhatsApp: género, sensorialidades y transformaciones ético-políticas en el cotidiano de mujeres evangélicas / Ministries on WhatsApp: gender, sensorialities and ethical-political transformations in the everyday life of evangelical women

Resumo Diferentes análises sobre a participação política de evangélicas(os) pentecostais no Brasil nos últimos anos têm chamado a atenção para transformações causadas pelos usos de mídias digitais por estes grupos. Em busca de ampliar este debate a partir de elementos que compõem usos cotidianos de grupos de oração no WhatsApp, o objetivo deste artigo é compreender como as disputas engajadas por mulheres pentecostais têm ressignificado suas carreiras pastorais e formado novas coletividades evangélicas. Com a emergência de outros modos de viver as intimidades propiciadas por dispositivos móveis, reflito sobre relações religiosas estabelecidas através de imagens e sons em grupos de WhatsApp, além dos impactos digitais nas dinâmicas de autoridade religiosa feminina e sua expansão transnacional.

Resumen Diferentes análisis sobre la participación política de los evangélicos pentecostales en Brasil en los últimos años han llamado la atención sobre las transformaciones provocadas por el uso de medios digitales por parte de estos grupos. Buscando ampliar este debate a partir de elementos que componen el uso cotidiano de los grupos de oración en WhatsApp, busqué comprender cómo las disputas libradas por las mujeres pentecostales han resignificado sus carreras pastorales y conformado nuevas colectividades evangélicas. Con el surgimiento de otras formas de experimentar las intimidades que brindan los dispositivos móviles, reflexiono sobre las relaciones religiosas que se establecen a través de imágenes y sonidos en los grupos de WhatsApp, además del impacto digital en la dinámica de la autoridad religiosa femenina y su expansión transnacional.

Abstract Recent literature on the political participation of Pentecostal evangelicals in Brazil has drawn attention to the transformations caused by their use of digital media. To broaden this debate, in this article I describe the everyday use of the WhatsApp instant messaging program by prayer groups, shedding light on how disputes engaged by Pentecostal women have re-signified their pastoral careers and formed new evangelical collectivities. With the emergence of other ways of experiencing the intimacy provided by mobile devices, I reflect on religious connections established across images and sounds in WhatsApp groups, in addition to the digital impact on the dynamics of female religious authority and its transnational expansion.

Aprendizaje colaborativo en la plataforma WhatsApp y el teléfono celular en tiempos de pandemia / Collaborative learning in the WhatsApp platform and the cellphone during pandemic times

Introducción: La pandemia COVID-19, causada por el virus SARS-CoV-2, y su exponencial crecimiento y migración a todos los continentes del globo terráqueo, provocaron una parálisis en el proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje en las instituciones que no contaban con infraestructura en línea para el desarrollo de las actividades docentes de manera virtual. Objetivo: Exponer los retos, las soluciones y los aprendizajes que formaron parte del proceso para preservar las discusiones de casos clínicos en grupos pequeños de estudiantes durante las fases de cuarentena obligatoria de la pandemia en Sudáfrica. Métodos: Se aplicaron las fases de la investigación-acción adaptadas a las prácticas educacionales. En su ejecución participaron los 103 estudiantes del segundo año del grado de bachiller en Medicina y Cirugía, y sus 10 tutores. El módulo de Neurociencias fue el contexto educativo en el período comprendido entre abril y julio de 2020. Resultados: Se crearon chats de comunicación entre los actores del proceso. El módulo se prolongó en duración, y flexibilizó la frecuencia y el horario de las tutorías. Se redujo el número de secciones a develar de los casos y en cada una se introdujeron tareas que guiaron a aplicar contenidos derivados de los objetivos de aprendizaje. Se escogió la aplicación WhatsApp como la plataforma donde se realizarían las sesiones de tutoría. Conclusiones: El desplazamiento del aprendizaje colaborativo de las tutorías a la aplicación WhatsApp convirtió a esta plataforma en un aula virtual accesible en áreas de pobre conectividad. Los reajustes en la extensión y duración de los casos, y las nuevas tareas en sus secciones, se adaptaron a un proceso de asimilación más lento y con más opciones de mediación. Múltiples y variados resultaron los aprendizajes para los actores del proceso; vale destacar el humano y el tecnológico.

ABSTRACT Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, as well as its exponential growth and migration to all continents of the globe, caused a paralysis in the teaching-learning process in institutions that did not have online infrastructure for the development of virtual teaching activities. Objective: To expose the challenges, solutions and learning that were part of the process for preserving clinical case discussions in small groups of students during the mandatory quarantine phases of the pandemic in South Africa. Methods: Action research phases adapted to educational practices were applied. All 103 second-year Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery students and their ten tutors participated in its execution. The Neurosciences module was the educational context in the period from April to July 2020. Results: Communication chats were created between the actors of the process. The module was extended in length, and the frequency and schedule of tutoring sessions was made more flexible. The number of sections to be unveiled from the cases was reduced; each section included guiding tasks for applying contents derived from the learning objectives. The WhatsApp application was chosen as the platform where the tutoring sessions would take place. Conclusions: The shift of collaborative learning from tutorials to the WhatsApp application turned this platform into a virtual classroom accessible in areas of poor connectivity. The length readjustments in the cases, as well as the new tasks in their sections, were adapted to a slower assimilation process and with more mediation options. There were multiple and varied learning experiences for the actors in the process; it is worth highlighting the human and technological aspects.

A WhatsApp-Based Intervention to Improve Maternal Social Support and Maternal-Child Health in Southern Brazil: The Text-Message Intervention to Enhance Social Support (TIES) Feasibility Study.

Participatory learning and action cycles with women's groups have been recommended by the WHO to promote maternal and newborn health, but few studies have tested its feasibility and acceptability in mobile health (mHealth) interventions among mothers of toddlers. This was a mixed-method feasibility assessment of an 8-week WhatsApp-based maternal support group for mothers of toddlers (12-18 months of age) enrolled in a birth cohort study in Southern Brazil. Daily messages and weekly activities were sent by moderators to promote maternal-child outcomes: child nutrition, child sleep, nurturing care, and maternal psychosocial well-being (assessed pre- and post-intervention via self-reported questionnaire). The implementation and engagement of the mothers in the program were assessed by message extraction. Acceptability was evaluated through in-depth interviews (n = 5) and open-ended surveys (n = 10). 1481 messages were exchanged in 3 WhatsApp groups (n = 30 mothers). Mothers were most active on weekdays (68.6% of messages sent on Tuesdays and 72.6% on Thursdays), afternoons (2:00-4:00pm), and evenings (9:00-11:00 pm). Engagement was higher at weeks 1-4. Mothers enjoyed and considered topics relevant. Group interaction was perceived as low, which influenced their participation. The prevalence of depression symptoms decreased from pre- to post-intervention (9% to 5%; P = .04). A moderated mobile-based support group for mothers of toddlers was feasible. mHealth services to promote maternal support are a promising strategy to improve maternal-child outcomes, but engagement and use of the service remains a challenge. Program managers should work with community members to identify ways to support engagement and participation throughout the intervention.

WhatsApp-Based Focus Groups Among Mexican-Origin Women in Zika Risk Area: Feasibility, Acceptability, and Data Quality.

BACKGROUND: Despite unprecedented advances in worldwide access to the internet via smartphones, barriers to engaging hard-to-reach populations remain in many methods of health research. A potential avenue for conducting qualitative research is via participatory web-based media, including the free, popular social platform WhatsApp. However, despite the clear advantages of engaging with participants over a well-established web-based platform, logistical challenges remain. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to report evidence on the feasibility and acceptability of WhatsApp as a method to conduct focus groups. METHODS: A pilot focus group was conducted with Spanish-speaking women near the US-Mexico border. The content focus was knowledge and perceived risks for exposure to the Zika virus during pregnancy. RESULTS: Evidence was obtained regarding WhatsApp as a low-cost, logistically feasible methodology that resulted in rich qualitative data from a population that is often reticent to engage in traditional research. A total of 5 participants participated in a focus group, of whom all 5 consistently contributed to the focus group chat in WhatsApp, which was conducted over 3 consecutive days. CONCLUSIONS: The findings are noteworthy at a time when face-to-face focus groups, the gold standard, are risky or precluded by safe COVID-19 guidelines. Other implications include more applications and evaluations of WhatsApp for delivering one-on-one or group health education interventions on sensitive topics. This paper outlines the key steps and considerations for the replication or adaptation of methods.

How are patients with chronic urticaria interested in using information and communication technologies to guide their healthcare? A UCARE study.

BACKGROUND: Patients with chronic urticaria (CU) are increasingly using information and communication technologies (ICTs) to manage their health. What CU patients expect from ICTs and which ICTs they prefer remains unknown. We assessed why CU patients use ICTs, which ones they prefer, and what drives their expectations and choices. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 1841 patients across 17 countries were recruited at UCAREs (Urticaria Centers of Reference and Excellence). Patients with CU who were >12 years old completed a 23-item questionnaire. RESULTS: Most patients were interested in receiving disease information (87.3%), asking physicians about CU (84.1%), and communicating with other patients through ICTs (65.6%). For receiving disease information, patients preferred one-to-one and one-to-many ICTs, especially web browsers. One-to-one ICTs were also the ICTs of choice for asking physicians about urticaria and for communicating with other patients, and e-mail and WhatsApp were the preferred ICTs, respectively. Many-to-many ICTs such as Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter were least preferred for all 3 purposes. Living in rural areas and higher education were linked to higher odds of being interested in receiving disease information, asking physicians, and communicating with patients through ICTs. CONCLUSIONS: Most patients and especially patients with higher education who live in rural areas are interested in using ICTs for their healthcare, but prefer different ICTs for different purposes, ie, web browsers for obtaining information, e-mail for asking physicians, and WhatsApp for communicating with other patients. Our findings may help to improve ICTs for CU.

Telementoring of in-home real-time laparoscopy using whatsapp messenger: An innovative teaching tool during the COVID-19 pandemic. A cohort study.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 pandemic has decreased worldwide surgical activity, thus impairing the training of surgical residents. As a coping strategy, we opted for laparoscopic simulation with endotrainer; however, due to social distancing rules, a face-to-face tutoring training method is unfeasible. In this context telementoring using WhatsApp® Messenger (owned by Facebook Inc., Menlo Park, CA) with a Smartphone aims to train surgical residents in laparoscopy from their homes during the pandemic. METHODS: Trainers and surgical residents who were at home participated in this study. They used endotrainers with Smartphone cameras and were trained by video calls using WhatsApp. The baseline and final score of intracorporeal knotting was measured, according to the Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery (FLS) methodology, measuring the difference in means with the paired t-test. Recommendations for virtual surgical tutoring were followed and user satisfaction was measured using the Likert scale. RESULTS: 40 surgical residents participated. The average distance between the mentor and the trainee was 12.87 km. Average bandwidth was 32.5 Megabits per second (Mbits/s), latency was 424.5 ms (ms), good quality image with immediate feedback was achieved. The statistically significant difference between basal and final measurement was 23.7 points (p < 0.001). All participants found telementoring a good educational tool. CONCLUSION: Smartphone telementoring using WhatsApp® Messenger is an effective educational tool for acquiring laparoscopic skills with a statistically significant difference. This type of training represents a new teaching resource in the light of the recommendations of social distancing during a pandemic.

Telemedicine, drug-resistant epilepsy, and ketogenic dietary therapies: A patient survey of a pediatric remote-care program during the COVID-19 pandemic.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess parent satisfaction with the management of ketogenic diet therapies (KDTs) through telemedicine using WhatsApp as the main tool. METHODS: Parent satisfaction was longitudinally evaluated through questionnaires. The survey was developed with Google Questionnaire forms and sent via WhatsApp. The questionnaire consisted of 13 items concerning the management of KDTs using telemedicine in the context of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Our population of patients has limited financial resources and low levels of education. Given that many families did not have either computers or WIFI, or any other access to information or communication technology, WhatsApp was chosen as a tool as it was available on the cell phones of all families and the professionals. RESULTS: Our survey showed that 96.3% of the parents were satisfied with the management of KDTs through telemedicine. The main benefits observed were the possibility of continuing treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic and the ease of accessing the professional team from the comfort of their home. Overall, 72.2% of the families would recommend using telemedicine for KDTs in any situation regardless of the pandemic. None of the families reported that they would recommend against treatment by telemedicine. The availability of a social support network (parents WhatsApp group) coordinated by professionals from the KDT team was considered to be useful by most respondents (90%). CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that management of children with DRE on KDTs through telemedicine is feasible, well accepted by the families, and probably as safe as conventional medicine. WhatsApp may be an interesting telemedicine tool to start and maintain KDTs.

La consulta en los tiempos de WhatsApp: una revisión rápida de la literatura / The Consultation in the Times of WhatsApp: A Quick Review of the Literature

Resumen Las tecnologías digitales en salud han permitido que los pacientes estén mejor informados, reducir tiempos y distancias para intervenciones en salud, lo que ha generado un cambio en la relación médico-paciente. El objetivo de este artículo fue explorar la evidencia relacionada con la influencia de WhatsApp en la relación médico-paciente. Por ello, se realizó una rápida revisión de la literatura en cinco bases de datos científicas. Obtuvimos un total de cuatro estudios que completaron los criterios de inclusión para la revisión: un reporte de caso, un estudio de casos y controles y dos estudios observacionales. El 65 % de los estudios incluidos informaron el uso de WhatsApp para la relación médico-paciente. La aplicación WhatsApp puede ser una herramienta útil como canal de comunicación en la relación. Se requiere tener especial cuidado con los aspectos éticos y legales de la comunicación entre profesionales y pacientes.

Abstract Digital technologies in health have allowed patients to be better informed, reduce times and distances for interventions in health, which has generated a change in the doctor-patient relationship. The objective of this article was to explore the evidence related to the influence of WhatsApp among the doctor-patient relationship. Therefore, a rapid review of the literature was carried out in five scientific databases. We obtained a total of four studies who completed the inclusion criteria for the review: a report case study, a case-control study, and two descriptive studies. 65% of the included studies reported the usage of WhatsApp for medical - patient relationship. WhatsApp application can be a useful tool as a communication channel in the relationship. Is required to take special care with ethical and legal aspects of communication between professionals and patients.

Effects of a WhatsApp-Delivered Education Intervention to Enhance Breast Cancer Knowledge in Women: Mixed-Methods Study.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death in the female population. Health education interventions based on the use of mobile technologies enable the development of health self-care skills and have emerged as alternative strategies for the control of breast cancer. In previous studies, WhatsApp has stood out as a useful tool in health education strategies; however, it has not yet been applied for breast cancer education. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to analyze the potential of WhatsApp as a health education tool used to improve women's knowledge on the risk reduction of breast cancer. It also aimed to understand how women feel sensitized within the WhatsApp group throughout the intervention and how they incorporate information posted to improve knowledge about early detection and risk reduction methods. METHODS: The study involved a pre-post health educational intervention with 35 women (aged 45-69 years) included in a WhatsApp group to share information (audio, video, text, and images) over 3 weeks on the early detection and risk reduction of breast cancer. Data were collected through questionnaires on topics related to risk reduction, as well as qualitative content analysis of group interactions. Effectiveness and feasibility were analyzed through conversations and the comparison of the scores obtained in the questionnaires before and after the intervention. RESULTS: A total of 293 messages were exchanged (moderator 120 and users 173). The average scores of the participants were 11.21 and 13.68 points before and after the educational intervention, respectively, with sufficient sample evidence that the difference was significant (P<.001). The intervention enabled women to improve their knowledge on all topics addressed, especially "myths and truths," "incidence," "clinical manifestations," and "protective factors." Some themes emerged from the interactions in the group, including group dynamics, general doubts, personal narratives, religious messages, daily news, and events. CONCLUSIONS: The use of groups for women in WhatsApp for health education purposes seems to be a viable alternative in strategies on breast cancer control, especially as it provides a space for the exchange of experiences and disinhibition. However, the need for a moderator to answer the questions and the constant distractions by members of the group represent important limitations that should be considered when improving this strategy.

Out of sight, out of mind: participatory sensing for monitoring indoor air quality.

In southern Chile, epidemiological studies have linked high levels of air pollution produced by the use of wood-burning stoves with the incidence of numerous diseases. Using a quasi-experimental design, this study explores the potential of participatory sensing strategies to transform experiences, perceptions, attitudes, and daily routine activities in 15 households equipped with wood-burning stoves in the city of Temuco, Chile. The results suggest that the experience of using a low-cost sensor improves household members' awareness levels of air pollution. However, the information provided by the sensors does not seem to improve the participants' self-efficacy to control air quality and protect themselves from pollution. The high degree of involvement with the participatory sensing experience indicates that the distribution of low-cost sensors could be a key element in the risk communication policies.

Digital Educational Support Groups Administered through WhatsApp Messenger Improve Health-Related Knowledge and Health Behaviors of New Adolescent Mothers in the Dominican Republic: A Multi-Method Study.

BACKGROUND: (1)In limited-resource settings such as the Dominican Republic, many factors contribute to poor health outcomes experienced by adolescent mothers, including insufficient support and/or health knowledge. In response, we designed a digital educational support group, administered through WhatsApp Messenger, for new adolescent mothers. The purpose of this study was to assess if participation in this digital support group could improve health outcomes and health behaviors. METHODS: (2)Participants completed questionnaires with a health literacy screener, demographic items, knowledge questions, the Index of Autonomous Functioning, and five Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System scales before and after the moderator-led intervention. Differences between pre- and post-intervention scores were calculated and perceptions of the intervention were explored through in-depth interviews analyzed with content analysis. Participants' well-baby visit attendance and contraceptive use were compared to that of controls and a national sample. RESULTS: (3)Participants' (N = 58) knowledge scores increased (p < 0.05). Participants were 6.58 times more likely to attend well-baby visits than controls (95% CI: 2.23-19.4) and their contraceptive use was higher than that of the national sample (p < 0.05). Participants indicated the intervention was enjoyable and beneficial. CONCLUSION: (4)This adolescent-centered digital intervention is a promising method to improve health outcomes and health behaviors of young mothers in limited-resource settings.

Does time matter? WhatsApp vs electronic mail for dental education. A pilot study.

INTRODUCTION: WhatsApp is an instant multimedia messaging and social media software which can be used for multiple purposes such as data, text, photographs and document transfer. Due to its versatility and multiple utilities, WhatsApp has been used within the educational setting in medicine and dentistry, proving a positive attitude of students towards its use. AIM: To compare the reception time and the response time of WhatsApp with the traditional electronic email within the dental educational environment. METHOD: A two-group comparative study was designed. Four multiple choice questions were sent via WhatsApp (group WA) and via electronic mail (group eM) to dental students. Data collected focused on the reception time and response time of students. Specifications of WhatsApp were used to collect data whilst an email tracker was used for the eM group. Excel software and Stata/IC version 15.1 software were used for data analysis. RESULTS: Seventy-four dental students from the University x (anonymised for reviewing purposes) dental school agreed to take part in this experience. However, 59 provided their responses (80%). Forty-four were females, and 15 were males. Twenty-seven participants were randomly allocated to the WA group and 32 to the eM group. The statistical analysis revealed a significant difference between groups: Reception time, P: .0286 value and response time, P: .0448 value indicating that the WA group was significantly faster in terms of reception and response time. CONCLUSION: This pilot study suggests that WhatsApp is more efficient in terms of reception and response time than electronic emails.

Facebook, WhatsApp, y la comunicación de los jóvenes en sus relaciones de pareja / Facebook, WhatsApp, and youth communication in couple relationships

Las redes sociales han generado un impacto en la forma en que interactúan las personas. Por este motivo, el objetivo de este estudio fue indagar sobre cómo los jóvenes utilizan medios como Facebook y aplicaciones de mensajería instantánea como WhatsApp para cumplir con tareas que son clave en el funcionamiento de su relación de pareja, como el establecimiento de límites y el mantenimiento del clima emocional. Se realizó un estudio cualitativo descriptivo, que involucró entrevistas a profundidad y etnografía virtual. Los participantes fueron 6 parejas de estudiantes universitarios heterosexuales quienes estuvieron bajo observación a través de sus conversaciones en Facebook y/o WhatsApp durante una semana. Se encontró que las parejas jóvenes utilizan las redes sociales con el fin de intercambiar mensajes sobre sus actividades cotidianas, atender las necesidades emocionales del otro y construir identidad. Se discuten los resultados en relación con la literatura existente y se sugieren direcciones para estudios en el futuro.

Social networks have had an impact on the way people interact. For this reason, this study aimed to investigate how young people use media such as Facebook or other social networks to fulfil tasks that are key to the functioning of their relationship, such as setting limits and maintaining the emotional climate. A qualitative descriptive study was carried out, involving in-depth interviews and virtual ethnography. The participants were six pairs of heterosexual university students observed through their conversations on Facebook and WhatsApp for one week. The finding was that young couples use social networks to exchange messages about their daily activities, address each other's emotional needs, and build identity. The results are discussed concerning existing literature and suggested directions for future studies.

Use of Social Networks for Data Collection in Scientific Productions in the Health Area: Integrative Literature Review / Uso de redes sociales para recolección de datos en producciones científicas en el área de la salud: revisión integrativa de la literatura / Utilização de redes sociais para coleta de dados em produções científicas na área da saúde: revisão integrativa da literatura

ABSTRACT Objective: To investigate evidence on the use of social networks to collect data in scientific productions in the health area. Material and method: An integrative literature review from primary studies indexed in the SciELO, PubMed, LILACS, Scopus, and Web of Science platforms. Results: 16 scientific articles were selected, of which nine focused on the use of WhatsApp; five, on the use of Facebook; and two, on employing Twitter to collect data in scientific productions. Growth was noted on the number of investigations associated to the use of social networks, although an important paradigm still exists related to the use to generate scientific evidence, resulting in a still low number of investigations on this theme. Conclusions: The health area needs to approach evermore the development of research associated to social networks, given that this would enable a viable and rapid intervention in obtaining responses, besides being a low cost and very promising tool for data collection.

RESUMEN Objetivo: investigar las evidencias del uso de redes sociales para recolectar datos en producciones científicas en el área de salud. Material y método: una revisión integrativa de la literatura a partir de estudios primarios indexados en las plataformas SciELO, PubMed, LILACS, Scopus y Web of Science. Resultados: se seleccionaron 16 artículos científicos, de los cuales nueve se centraron en el uso de WhatsApp; cinco, en el uso de Facebook; y dos, en empleo de Twitter para recolectar datos en producciones científicas. Hubo crecimiento en el número de investigaciones asociadas al uso de redes sociales, aunque aún existe un gran paradigma relacionado a su uso para generar evidencia científica, lo que resulta en un número aún reducido de investigaciones en esta temática. Conclusiones: el área de la salud necesita acercarse cada vez más al desarrollo de investigaciones asociadas a las redes sociales, pues esto posibilitaría una intervención viable y rápida en la obtención de respuestas, además de ser una herramienta de bajo costo y bastante promisoria para la recolección de datos.

RESUMO Objetivo: investigar as evidências da utilização de redes sociais para coleta de dados em produções científicas na área da saúde. Material e método: uma revisão integrativa da literatura a partir de estudos primários indexados nas plataformas SciELO, PubMed, LILACS, Scopus e Web of Science. Resultados: foram selecionados 16 artigos científicos, dos quais nove apresentaram foco na utilização do WhatsApp; cinco, no uso do Facebook; e dois, no emprego do Twitter para coleta de dados em produções científicas. Houve um crescimento no número de pesquisas associadas à utilização de redes sociais, embora ainda exista um grande paradigma relacionado ao uso para a geração de evidências científicas, o que resulta em um número ainda reduzido de pesquisas nessa temática. Conclusões: a área da saúde precisa aproximar-se cada vez mais do desenvolvimento de pesquisas associadas às redes sociais, pois isso possibilitaria uma intervenção viável e rápida na obtenção de respostas, além de ser uma ferramenta de baixo custo e bastante promissora para a coleta de dados.

Nuevas tecnologías en educación superior. Estudio de percepción en estudiantes acerca del uso de WhatsApp y Entornos Virtuales de Aprendizaje (Plataforma Moodle) / New technologies in higher education. Perception study among students on the use of WhatsApp and Virtual Learning Environments (Moodle Platform)

El presente trabajo tiene como finalidad la valoración estudiantil respecto al uso de WhatsApp (WAP) y los Entornos Virtuales de Aprendizaje (EVA) en la Facultad de Odontología (FO), de la Udelar (Montevideo - Uruguay). Se realizó estudio descriptivo observacional en estudiantes de la generación 2016 - FO - UdelaR. Se utilizó una encuesta con 5 items en relación a tres aplicaciones tecnológicas (WhatsApp, Plataforma Moodle y Polimedias), fueron valorados de 0-12 puntos. En WhatsApp se consultó acerca de la posibilidad de consultar dudas, compartir imágenes, informarse, interactuar con el docente y compañeros, dando como resultado en cada item un puntaje promedio de 10.77-10.63-10.63-10.63 y 9.20 respectivamente. En EVA se consultaron los mismos ítems salvo el dos (fue acceder a presentaciones de clase), recibiendo un puntaje promedio de 8.53-11.27-10.33-9.47 y 5.53. Se percibe un alto grado de aceptación entre las diferentes tecnologías, con un mayor grado de aceptación en cuanto a la comunicación de WhatsApp frente a la plataforma Moodle.

The aim of this work was to have students evaluate the use of WhatsApp (WAP) and a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) at the School of Dentistry, UdelaR (Montevideo - Uruguay). An observational descriptive study was conducted on students from the 2016 generation. A survey with five items was implemented, including three technological applications (WhatsApp, Moodle Platform and Polimedias), which were rated 0 to 12 points. As for WhatsApp, we asked about the possibility of clarifying doubts, sharing images, getting information, interacting with the teacher and classmates. The average score obtained was 10.77-10.63-10.63-10.63 and 9.20 for each item, respectively. In the VLE, the same items were included except for number two (access to class presentations), receiving an average score of 8.53-11.27-10.33-9.47 and 5.53. There is a high degree of acceptance of the different technologies, WhatsApp communication being more widely accepted than communication in the Moodle platform.