Physical distancing messages targeting youth on the social media accounts of Canadian public health entities and the use of behavioral change techniques.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Physical distancing (PD) is an important public health strategy to reduce the transmission of COVID-19 and has been promoted by public health authorities through social media. Although youth have a tendency to engage in high-risk behaviors that could facilitate COVID-19 transmission, there is limited research on the characteristics of PD messaging targeting this population on social media platforms with which youth frequently engage. This study examined social media posts created by Canadian public health entities (PHEs) with PD messaging aimed at youth and young adults aged 16-29 years and reported behavioral change techniques (BCTs) used in these posts.

Methods

A content analysis of all social media posts of Canadian PHEs from Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and

SUBMITTER: Dimanlig-Cruz S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8422061 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature