Table 1 Descriptions of mHealth projects for young people
Project Name and Organization | Country | Purpose | Strategies for Reaching Young People | Project Aim |
|---|---|---|---|---|
InfoAdo Senegal, One World | Senegal | Mobile phone question and answer service by trained counsellors from local organizations provide rapid, accurate, and non-judgmental answers. Addresses adolescent SRH issues for in and out of school youth ages 11–34. | SMS and web-based question-and-answer service | Health Promotion |
Chat Salud Nicaragua, Chat Salud | Nicaragua | Mobile phone question and answer service that delivers gender-based violence, contraception, sexual health, and STI information. | Opt-in, menu-based, two-way SMS platform. | Health Promotion |
CHITCHAT Belize, CHITCHAT | Belize | Hotline service that provides SRH information for ages 15–45 that is accurate, culturally relevant and aimed at dispelling popular misconceptions/myths about reproductive health and family planning. | SMS-based info hotline | Health Promotion |
E-voucher, Marie Stopes | Ethiopia | A subsidized voucher program to increase young people ages 15–29’s access to and choice of contraceptive methods. Vouchers can be redeemed at one of the health facilities attached to the program to receive a free counselling session on all contraceptive methods to ensure voluntary and informed choice. | Randomly assigned voucher codes are sent directly to the client’s mobile phone. | Links to Services |
Weleli Info Ado, One World | Mali | Through eLearning environment, a mobile phone question and answer service, InfoAdo Mali addresses adolescent SRH issues for young people ages 11–34 in and out of school. Trained counsellors from local organizations provide rapid, accurate, and non-judgmental answers. | SMS and web-based question-and-answer service | Health Promotion |
Learning about Living Cambodia, One World | Cambodia | Addresses adolescent SRH issues for young people ages 11–34 in and out of schools. Trained counsellors from local organizations provide rapid, accurate, and non-judgmental answers. | SMS and web-based question-and-answer service and mobile podcasts. | Health Promotion |
Bila7araje Morocco, One World | Morocco | Addresses adolescent SRH issues for young people ages 11–34 in and out of schools. Trained counsellors from local organizations provide rapid, accurate, and non-judgmental answers. | Mobile phone (SMS and emails), a web-based question-and-answer service, and Facebook chat. | Health Promotion |
Ma3looma, One World | Egypt | Addresses adolescent SRH issues for young people ages 10–29 in and out of schools. Trained counsellors from local organizations provide rapid, accurate, and non-judgmental answers. | Mobile phone (SMS and emails), a web-based question-and-answer service, and Facebook chat. | Health Promotion |
m4RH, FHI 360 | Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda | SRH and family planning information service. 82% of users are ages 29 or younger. | Opt-in, menu-based, two-way SMS program which also include role model stories of FP use. | Health Promotion & Links to Services |
m4Youth, Pathfinder | Ethiopia | Tailored SRH, family planning, and HIV information tor university students and peer educators. | A menu-based SMS service, which students enroll by texting a short code to receive messages containing SRH menu options. | Health Promotion |
m-ASSIST, Cell Life | South Africa | Mobile phone solution to improve provision of medical abortion and post abortion family planning use to youth 18–29 in South Africa with 50% of users ages 18–24. | SMS messages were sent to (1) coach women through the abortion process (2) how to manage side effects (3) encourage post abortion family planning use | Links to Services |
mCENAS, Pathfinder | Mozambique | A SMS-based role model story showing common barriers to contraceptive use faced by youth, as well as an informational message system aimed at increasing knowledge about contraceptive methods for youth 15–24. | Role model stories and answers to FAQs via text messages on family planning access and uptake | Health Promotion |
mCHAT, Save the Children | Thailand | Use of social media websites, online forums, and mobile apps to disseminate information on HIV prevention, treatment, care and support to young men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender people. | Social media/ mobile apps | Health Promotion |
menZDRAV Foundation | Russia | Deliver confidential and accurate SRH information and HIV counseling to MSM aged 18–25 years living with HIV. | Facebook app and Skype | Health Promotion & Links to Services |
My Question, Population Council and Learning about Living | Nigeria | SRH information and education delivery service for young adults. Trained counselors provide responses using a database of answers to frequently asked questions or customized replies. | SMS and web-based question-and-answer service | Health Promotion |
Project Khuluma, SHM Foundation | South Africa | Provide psychosocial support to HIV positive adolescents ages 13–18. | Provides tailored psychosocial support via voice and SMS to adolescents with HIV | Adherence |
Yangpela Hotline, Marie Stopes | Papa New Guinea | Confidential, youth-friendly SRH information for young people ages 15–24 | SMS and voice-based info hotline | Health Promotion |