Renee Reynolds1, Rachel Sutherland1,2,3,4, Nicole Nathan1,3,4,5, Lisa Janssen1, Christophe Lecathelinais1, Kathryn Reilly1,3,4,5, Alison Walton1, Luke Wolfenden1,3,5. 1. Hunter New England Population Health, Wallsend, NSW, Australia. 2. School of Health Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia. 3. Priority Research Centre for Health Behaviour, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia. 4. Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton, Newcastle, NSW, Australia. 5. School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.
Abstract
ISSUE ADDRESSED: This study aimed to assess the feasibility and acceptability of using an existing school-based mobile communication application to deliver messages to parents on how to pack a healthy lunchbox. METHODS: A telephone survey was conducted with 196 primary school principals within the Hunter New England region of New South Wales, Australia, in 2016. RESULTS: Almost two thirds of primary schools (59%) currently use a school-based mobile communication application to communicate with parents. Most principals (91%) agreed school lunchboxes need improving, of which 80% agree it is a school's role to provide information and guidelines to parents. However, only 50% of principals reported currently providing such information. The provision of lunchbox messages to parents by a third party appeared an acceptable model of delivery by principals. Larger schools and schools in urban and lower socio-economic localities were more likely to have used a school-based mobile communication application. CONCLUSION: The majority of principals recognise student lunchboxes need improving. The use of school-based mobile communication applications appears to be feasible and acceptable by principals as a method of communicating lunchbox messages to parents. SO WHAT?: Use of school-based mobile communication applications may be an effective method for delivering health information at a population level. Future research should assess the potential efficacy of disseminating health interventions via this modality.
ISSUE ADDRESSED: This study aimed to assess the feasibility and acceptability of using an existing school-based mobile communication application to deliver messages to parents on how to pack a healthy lunchbox. METHODS: A telephone survey was conducted with 196 primary school principals within the Hunter New England region of New South Wales, Australia, in 2016. RESULTS: Almost two thirds of primary schools (59%) currently use a school-based mobile communication application to communicate with parents. Most principals (91%) agreed school lunchboxes need improving, of which 80% agree it is a school's role to provide information and guidelines to parents. However, only 50% of principals reported currently providing such information. The provision of lunchbox messages to parents by a third party appeared an acceptable model of delivery by principals. Larger schools and schools in urban and lower socio-economic localities were more likely to have used a school-based mobile communication application. CONCLUSION: The majority of principals recognise student lunchboxes need improving. The use of school-based mobile communication applications appears to be feasible and acceptable by principals as a method of communicating lunchbox messages to parents. SO WHAT?: Use of school-based mobile communication applications may be an effective method for delivering health information at a population level. Future research should assess the potential efficacy of disseminating health interventions via this modality.
Authors: Rachel Sutherland; Alison Brown; Nicole Nathan; Lisa Janssen; Renee Reynolds; Alison Walton; Nayerra Hudson; Amelia Chooi; Serene Yoong; John Wiggers; Andrew Bailey; Nicole Evans; Karen Gillham; Christopher Oldmeadow; Andrew Searles; Penny Reeves; Chris Rissel; Marc Davies; Kathryn Reilly; Brad Cohen; Tim McCallum; Luke Wolfenden Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2019-11-12 Impact factor: 3.295