1 research outputs found
Formative study of mobile phone use for family planning among young people in Sierra Leone : global systematic survey
Background: Teenage pregnancy remains high with low contraceptive prevalence among adolescents (aged 15-19 years) in
Sierra Leone. Stakeholders leverage multiple strategies to address the challenge. Mobile technology is pervasive and presents an
opportunity to reach young people with critical sexual reproductive health and family planning messages.Objective: The objectives of this research study are to understand how mobile health (mHealth) is used for family planning,
understand phone use habits among young people in Sierra Leone, and recommend strategies for mobile-enabled dissemination
of family planning information at scale.Methods: This formative research study was conducted using a systematic literature review and focus group discussions (FGDs).
The literature survey assessed similar but existing interventions through a systematic search of 6 scholarly databases. Cross-sections
of young people of both sexes and their support groups were engaged in 9 FGDs in an urban and a rural district in Sierra Leone.
The FGD data were qualitatively analyzed using MAXQDA software (VERBI Software GmbH) to determine appropriate
technology channels, content, and format for different user segments.Results: Our systematic search results were categorized using Grading of Recommended Assessment and Evaluation (GRADE)
into communication channels, audiovisual messaging format, purpose of the intervention, and message direction. The majority
of reviewed articles report on SMS-based interventions. At the same time, most intervention purposes are for awareness and as
helpful resources. Our survey did not find documented use of custom mHealth apps for family planning information dissemination.
From the FGDs, more young people in Sierra Leone own basic mobile phones than those that have feature capablilities or are
smartphone. Young people with smartphones use them mostly for WhatsApp and Facebook. Young people widely subscribe to
the social media–only internet bundle, with the cost ranging from 1000 leones (US 0.16) daily. Pupils
in both districts top-up their voice call and SMS credit every day between 1000 leones (US 0.52).Conclusions: mHealth has facilitated family planning information dissemination for demand creation around the world. Despite
the widespread use of social and new media, SMS is the scalable channel to reach literate and semiliterate young people. We
have cataloged mHealth for contraceptive research to show SMS followed by call center as widely used channels. Jingles are
popular for audiovisual message formats, mostly delivered as either push or pull only message directions (not both). Interactive
voice response and automated calls are best suited to reach nonliterate young people at scale.peer-reviewe