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Kreniske P, Namuyaba OI, Kasumba R, Namatovu P, Ssewamala F, Wingood G, Wei Y, Ybarra ML, Oloya C, Tindyebwa C, Ntulo C, Mujune V, Chang LW, Mellins CA, Santelli JS. Mobile Phone Technology for Preventing HIV and Related Youth Health Problems, Sexual Health, Mental Health, and Substance Use Problems in Southwest Uganda (Youth Health SMS): Protocol for a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR Res Protoc 2023; 12:e49352. [PMID: 38113102 PMCID: PMC10762611 DOI: 10.2196/49352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND East and Southern Africa have the highest HIV incidence and prevalence in the world, with adolescents and young adults being at the greatest risk. Despite effective combination prevention tools, including the recently available pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), HIV incidence among adolescents and young adults in Uganda remains high, and PrEP use remains low. Mental health and substance use (behavioral health) play a role in sexual behavior and decision-making, contributing to an increase in the risk for acquiring HIV. Interventions that target multiple HIV risk factors, including sexual and mental health and problematic substance use, are crucial to ending the HIV epidemic. Yet few interventions addressing HIV related health disparities and comorbidities among adolescents and young adults in East and Southern Africa currently exist. OBJECTIVE This study aims to evaluate the acceptability and feasibility of Kirabo, an SMS text message intervention informed by the information, motivation, and behavior model and to be disseminated through secondary schools. The study will gather preliminary estimates of Kirabo's effectiveness in increasing HIV testing and linking users to mental health counselors. METHODS We identified Mobile 4 Reproductive Health for adaptation using the assessment, decision, administration, production, topical experts, integration, training, testing (ADAPT-ITT) framework. Mobile 4 Reproductive Health is an evidence-based automated 2-way SMS text messaging and interactive voice response platform that offers sexual and reproductive health information and links users to HIV clinics in East Africa. Through ADAPT-ITT we refined our approach and created Kirabo, an SMS text message-based intervention for linking adolescents and young adults to health services, including HIV testing and mental health counseling. We will conduct a 2-arm randomized controlled trial in Masaka, Uganda. Adolescents (N=200) will be recruited from local schools. Baseline sociodemographic characteristics, HIV test history, and behavioral health symptoms will be assessed. We will evaluate acceptability and feasibility using surveys, interviews, and mobile phone data. The preliminary efficacy of Kirabo in increasing HIV testing and linking users to mental health counselors will be evaluated immediately after the intervention and at the 3-month follow-up. We will also assess the intervention's impact on self-efficacy in testing for HIV, adopting PrEP, and contacting a mental health counselor. RESULTS Intervention adaptation began in 2019. A pretest was conducted in 2021. The randomized controlled trial, including usability and feasibility assessments and effectiveness measurements, commenced in August 2023. CONCLUSIONS Kirabo is a tool that assists in the efforts to end the HIV epidemic by targeting the health disparities and comorbidities among adolescents in Uganda. The intervention includes local HIV clinic information, PrEP information, and behavioral health screening, with referrals as needed. Increasing access to prevention strategies and mitigating factors that make adolescents and young adults susceptible to HIV acquisition can contribute to global efforts to end the HIV epidemic. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05130151; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05130151. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/49352.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip Kreniske
- Community Health and Social Sciences Department, Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, City University of New York, New York, NY, United States
| | | | - Robert Kasumba
- Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, United States
| | - Phionah Namatovu
- International Center for Child Development, Masaka, Uganda
- Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, United States
| | - Fred Ssewamala
- International Center for Child Development, Masaka, Uganda
- Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, United States
| | - Gina Wingood
- Department of Sociomedical Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Ying Wei
- Department of Biostatistics, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Michele L Ybarra
- Center for Innovative Public Health Research, San Clemente, CA, United States
| | | | | | | | | | - Larry W Chang
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Claude A Mellins
- HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies, New York State Psychiatric Institute and Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
| | - John S Santelli
- Heilbrunn Department of Population and Family Health, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
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Macharia P, Pérez-Navarro A, Sambai B, Inwani I, Kinuthia J, Nduati R, Carrion C. An Unstructured Supplementary Service Data-Based mHealth App Providing On-Demand Sexual Reproductive Health Information for Adolescents in Kibra, Kenya: Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR Mhealth Uhealth 2022; 10:e31233. [PMID: 35436230 PMCID: PMC9055479 DOI: 10.2196/31233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Revised: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 02/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adolescents transitioning from childhood to adulthood need to be equipped with sexual reproductive health (SRH) knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values that empower them. Accessible, reliable, appropriate, and friendly information can be provided through mobile phone-based health interventions. OBJECTIVE This study aims to investigate the effectiveness and impact of an Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD)-based app in increasing adolescents' knowledge about contraceptives, gender-based stereotypes, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), abstinence, and perceived vulnerability, and helping adolescents make informed decisions about their SRH. METHODS A randomized controlled trial (RCT) methodology was applied to investigate the potential of a USSD-based app for providing on-demand SRH information. To be eligible, adolescents aged 15 to 19 years residing in Kibra, Kenya, had to have access to a phone and be available for the 3-month follow-up visit. Participants were randomly assigned to the intervention (n=146) and control (n=154) groups using sequentially numbered, opaque, sealed envelopes. The primary outcome was improved SRH knowledge. The secondary outcome was improved decision-making on SRH. The outcomes were measured using validated tools on adolescent SRH and user perceptions during the follow-up visit. A paired sample t test was used to compare the changes in knowledge scores in both groups. The control group did not receive any SRH information. RESULTS During the RCT, 54.9% (62/109) of adolescents used the USSD-based app at least once. The mean age by randomization group was 17.3 (SD 1.23) years for the control group and 17.3 (SD 1.12) years for the intervention group. There was a statistically significant difference in the total knowledge scores in the intervention group (mean 10.770, SD 2.012) compared with the control group (mean 10.170, SD 2.412) conditions (t179=2.197; P=.03). There was a significant difference in abstinence (P=.01) and contraceptive use (P=.06). Of the individuals who used the app, all participants felt the information received could improve decision-making regarding SRH. Information on STIs was of particular interest, with 27% (20/62) of the adolescents seeking information in this area, of whom 55% (11/20) were female. In relation to improved decision-making, 21.6% (29/134) of responses showed the adolescents were able to identify STIs and were likely to seek treatment; 51.7% (15/29) of these were female. Ease of use was the most important feature of the app for 28.3% (54/191) of the responses. CONCLUSIONS Adolescents require accurate and up-to-date SRH information to guide their decision-making and improve health outcomes. As adolescents already use mobile phones in their day-to-day lives, apps provide an ideal platform for this information. A USSD-based app could be an appropriate tool for increasing SRH knowledge among adolescents in low-resource settings. Adolescents in the study valued the information provided because it helped them identify SRH topics on which they needed more information. TRIAL REGISTRATION Pan African Clinical Trial Registry PACTR202204774993198; https://pactr.samrc.ac.za/TrialDisplay.aspx?TrialID=22623.
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Chukwu E, Gilroy S, Addaquay K, Jones NN, Karimu VG, Garg L, Dickson KE. Formative Study of Mobile Phone Use for Family Planning Among Young People in Sierra Leone: Global Systematic Survey. JMIR Form Res 2021; 5:e23874. [PMID: 34766908 PMCID: PMC8663572 DOI: 10.2196/23874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2020] [Revised: 10/26/2020] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
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 $0.11) to 1500 leones (US $0.16) daily. Pupils in both districts top-up their voice call and SMS credit every day between 1000 leones (US $0.11) and 5000 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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emeka Chukwu
- Department of Computer Information System, Faculty of Information and Communications Technology (ICT), Msida, Malta.,United Nations Population Fund Country Office, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - Sonia Gilroy
- United Nations Population Fund Country Office, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - Kojo Addaquay
- United Nations Population Fund Country Office, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - Nki Nafisa Jones
- United Nations Population Fund Country Office, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - Victor Gbadia Karimu
- National Secretariat for the Reduction of Teenage Pregnancy, New England, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - Lalit Garg
- Department of Computer Information System, Faculty of Information and Communications Technology (ICT), Msida, Malta
| | - Kim Eva Dickson
- United Nations Population Fund Country Office, Freetown, Sierra Leone
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Macharia P, Pérez-Navarro A, Inwani I, Nduati R, Carrion C. An Exploratory Study of Current Sources of Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health Information in Kenya and Their Limitations: Are Mobile Phone Technologies the Answer? INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SEXUAL HEALTH : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE WORLD ASSOCIATION FOR SEXUAL HEALTH 2021; 33:357-370. [PMID: 38595745 PMCID: PMC10929578 DOI: 10.1080/19317611.2021.1918311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Revised: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/10/2021] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Purpose The prevalence of pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections among adolescents in low and middle-income countries leads us to believe that sexual and reproductive health (SRH) information needs are still unmet. This paper investigates current sources and their limitations and then explores the role technology could play. Methods: In an exploratory qualitative study themes identified; (1) preferred sources of SRH information; (2) their limitations; (3) the role of technology in meeting their needs. Results: Mobile phone-based apps could improve awareness and provide information in a confidential way. Conclusions: Adolescents have an unmet need that vary by age and gender. Mobile phones could offer accessible, user-friendly platform.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Macharia
- Faculty of Computer Sciences, Multimedia and Telecommunication, Universitat Oberta de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain
- Consulting in Health Informatics, Nairobi, Kenya
- eHealth Lab Research Group, School of Health Sciences, Universitat Oberta de Catalunya, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Antoni Pérez-Navarro
- Faculty of Computer Sciences, Multimedia and Telecommunication, Universitat Oberta de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain
- Internet Interdisciplinary Institute, Universitat Oberta de Catalunya, Castelldefels, Spain
| | | | - Ruth Nduati
- University of Nairobi, University Way, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Carme Carrion
- eHealth Lab Research Group, School of Health Sciences, Universitat Oberta de Catalunya, Catalonia, Spain
- eHealth Center, Universitat Oberta de Catalunya, Catalonia, Spain
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Ohnishi M, Leshabari S, Tanaka J, Nishihara M. Factors associated with the awareness of contraceptive methods, understanding the prevention of HIV/AIDS and the perception of HIV/AIDS risk among secondary school students in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. J Rural Med 2020; 15:155-163. [PMID: 33033535 PMCID: PMC7530594 DOI: 10.2185/jrm.2020-001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2020] [Accepted: 04/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: To assess the awareness of contraceptive methods, understanding
of HIV/AIDS prevention and the perception of HIV/AIDS risks among secondary school
students in Tanzania. Methods: An anonymous self-administered questionnaire survey was conducted
among secondary school students in Tanzania. The questionnaire included sociodemographic
characteristics, awareness of contraceptive methods, an understanding of HIV/AIDS
prevention, and the perception of HIV/AIDS risks. Three secondary schools were selected by
considering the gender balance and location, which included the urban and surrounding
areas. The research objectives, methods, and ethical considerations were explained, and
the students voluntarily completed the questionnaire. Results: A total of 233 responses were collected, and 204 responses were
considered valid for the analysis. The mean and standard deviation of age were 18.5 ± 1.0.
Regardless of the gender, age, religion, and major course of study, the maternal
educational status (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 3.129; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.324,
7.398; P=0.009) and the number of information sources (AOR: 7.023, 95%
CI: 3.166, 15.579, P<0.001) demonstrated associations with the
awareness of contraceptive methods. Respondents who lived outside a dormitory (AOR: 3.782;
95% CI: 1.650, 8.671; P=0.002) and who currently had a partner (AOR:
3.616; 95% CI: 1.486, 8.800; P=0.005) were associated with a high level
of understanding of HIV/AIDS prevention regardless of gender, age, religion, and major
course of study. Respondents with few information sources were associated with a high
level of perception of HIV/AIDS risks (AOR: 0.293; 95% CI: 0.115, 0.747;
P=0.010), regardless of gender, age, religion, and major course of
study. Conclusion: Factors associated with the awareness of contraceptive methods,
the understanding of HIV/AIDS prevention, and perception of HIV/AIDS risks were not
consistent. To ensure the improvement of these factors among secondary school students,
sexual health education should be integrated into educational programs and provided
holistically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mayumi Ohnishi
- Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Japan
| | - Sebalda Leshabari
- School of Nursing, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Tanzania
| | - Junichi Tanaka
- Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Japan
| | - Mika Nishihara
- Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Japan
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Pima FM, Oshosen M, Ngowi KM, Habte BM, Maro E, Teffera BE, Kisigo G, Swai IU, Msangi SS, Ermias A, Mmbaga BT, Both R, Sumari-de Boer M. Feasibility of Using Short Message Service and In-Depth Interviews to Collect Data on Contraceptive Use Among Young, Unmarried, Sexually Active Men in Moshi, Tanzania, and Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: Mixed Methods Study With a Longitudinal Follow-Up. JMIR Form Res 2019; 3:e12657. [PMID: 31244476 PMCID: PMC6617913 DOI: 10.2196/12657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2018] [Revised: 04/09/2019] [Accepted: 04/09/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Data on contraceptive needs and use among young unmarried men are limited. Conventional ways of data collection may lead to limited and unreliable information on contraceptive use due to sensitivity of the topic, as many young men feel ashamed to discuss their behavior of using contraceptives. As short message service (SMS) is anonymous and a commonly used means of communication, we believe that if deployed, it will create a promising user-friendly method of data collection. Objective The objective was to investigate the feasibility of using SMS to collect data on sexually active, young, unmarried men’s sexual behavior and contraceptive preferences, practices, and needs in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and Moshi, Tanzania. Methods We enrolled men aged 18-30 years who were students (in Ethiopia and Tanzania), taxi or local bus drivers/assistants (Ethiopia and Tanzania), Kilimanjaro porters (Tanzania), or construction workers (Ethiopia). Young men were interviewed using a topic list on contraceptive use. They were followed up for 6 months by sending fortnightly SMS texts with questions about contraceptive use. If the young men indicated that they needed contraceptives during the reporting period or were not satisfied with the method they used, they were invited for a follow-up interview. At the end of the study, we conducted exit interviews telephonically using a semistructured questionnaire to explore the feasibility, acceptability, and accuracy of using SMS to validate the study findings in both countries. Results We enrolled 71 young unmarried men—35 in Tanzania and 36 in Ethiopia. In Moshi, 1908 messages were delivered to participants and 1119 SMS responses were obtained. In Ethiopia, however, only 525 messages were sent to participants and 248 replies were received. The question on dating a girl in the past weeks was asked 438 times in Tanzania and received 252 (58%) replies, of which 148 (59%) were “YES.” In Ethiopia, this question was asked 314 times and received 64 (20%) replies, of which 52 (81%) were “YES” (P=.02 for difference in replies between Tanzania and Ethiopia). In Tanzania, the question on contraceptive use was sent successfully 112 times and received 108 (96%) replies, of which 105 (94%) were “YES.” In Ethiopia, the question on contraceptive use was asked 17 times and received only 2 (11%) replies. Exit interviews in Tanzania showed that SMS was accepted as a means of data collection by 22 (88%) of the 25 interviewed participants. Conclusions Despite network and individual challenges, the SMS system was found to be feasible in Moshi, but not in Addis Ababa. We recommend more research to scale up the method in different groups and regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francis Maganga Pima
- Department of Clinical Trials, Kilimanjaro Clinical Research Institute, Moshi, United Republic of Tanzania
| | - Martha Oshosen
- Department of Clinical Trials, Kilimanjaro Clinical Research Institute, Moshi, United Republic of Tanzania
| | - Kennedy Michael Ngowi
- Department of Clinical Trials, Kilimanjaro Clinical Research Institute, Moshi, United Republic of Tanzania.,Department of Medical Psychology, University Medical Centre Amsterdam - Amsterdam Medical Centre, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | | | - Eusebious Maro
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Moshi, United Republic of Tanzania
| | | | - Godfrey Kisigo
- Department of Clinical Trials, Kilimanjaro Clinical Research Institute, Moshi, United Republic of Tanzania
| | - Iraseni Ufoo Swai
- Department of Clinical Trials, Kilimanjaro Clinical Research Institute, Moshi, United Republic of Tanzania
| | - Salim Semvua Msangi
- Department of Clinical Trials, Kilimanjaro Clinical Research Institute, Moshi, United Republic of Tanzania
| | - Amha Ermias
- SEGEL Research and Training Consulting PLC, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Blandina T Mmbaga
- Department of Clinical Trials, Kilimanjaro Clinical Research Institute, Moshi, United Republic of Tanzania
| | - Rosalijn Both
- SEGEL Research and Training Consulting PLC, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Marion Sumari-de Boer
- Department of Clinical Trials, Kilimanjaro Clinical Research Institute, Moshi, United Republic of Tanzania.,Department of International Health, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, Netherlands
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