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Effectiveness of a theory-based mobile phone text message intervention for improving protective behaviors of pregnant women against air pollution: a randomized controlled trial

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Abstract

Health impact of exposure to air pollution is a public health concern. The aim of this study was to investigate an extended parallel process model (EPPM)-based mobile phone text message intervention for improving protective behaviors against air pollution among pregnant women. In this randomized controlled trial (IRCT2016102810804N8), 130 pregnant women were randomly assigned into either experimental or control groups. A valid and reliable questionnaire was used to collect data. Experimental group received mobile phone intervention on a daily basis for 2 months. Control group received usual care, only. Data were analyzed using SPSS 15 applying t test, chi-square, and Wilcoxon and Mann-Whitney U test. Although before intervention, there were no significant differences between different structures of EPPM (P > 0.05), after intervention, there were statistically significant differences between perceived severity, response efficacy, self-efficacy, and protective behaviors between two groups (P < 0.05). Implementing EPPM based-mobile phone intervention could promote protective behaviors against air pollution among pregnant women. The present study might be used as a framework for evidence-based health promotion regarding air pollution risk communication and self-care behaviors. Trial registration: IRCT2016102810804N8

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Acknowledgments

This paper is the result of the second phase of a Master’s thesis on health education conducted by Ms. Jasemzadeh, approved by the Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Science, with the number SDH 9413. The authors are willing to acknowledge the pregnant women and also the cooperation and collaboration of workers at West Family Health Center of Ahvaz, especially Ms. Akbari (expert in mothers’ program) and Ms. Khani (responsible for health education) cooperating with the investigation of study groups. Special thanks are extended to Prof. Ali Montazeri for his valuable assistance in designing the study and manuscript preparation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Health Education and Promotion, Public Health School, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran

    Mehrnoosh Jasemzadeh & Marzieh Araban

  2. Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran

    Morteza Abdullatif Khafaie & Marzieh Araban

  3. Environmental Technologies Research Center, Public Health School, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran

    Nematallah Jaafarzadeh

Authors
  1. Mehrnoosh Jasemzadeh
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  2. Morteza Abdullatif Khafaie
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  3. Nematallah Jaafarzadeh
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  4. Marzieh Araban
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Marzieh Araban.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Ethics approval and consent to participate

All participants were informed about the study and confidentiality protocols. Informed consent was obtained from all the participants; the study was approved by the ethics committee of Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences.

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Responsible editor: Philippe Garrigues

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Jasemzadeh, M., Khafaie, M.A., Jaafarzadeh, N. et al. Effectiveness of a theory-based mobile phone text message intervention for improving protective behaviors of pregnant women against air pollution: a randomized controlled trial. Environ Sci Pollut Res 25, 6648–6655 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-017-1034-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-017-1034-7

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