Abstract
Background: Afghanistan ranks among the most disadvantaged globally for many key reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health (RMNCH) indicators, despite important gains in the past decade. Youth (15 to 24 years) are a key audience for RMNCH information as they enter adulthood, marry and begin families; however, reaching Afghan youth with health information is challenging. Internally displaced persons (IDPs), including youth, experience additional challenges to obtaining health-related information and services. This study measured current and preferred RMNCH information channels to explore the feasibility of using mobile phone technology to provide RMNCH information to IDP youth in Afghanistan. Methods: We conducted a sub-group analysis of survey data from a mixed-methods, cross-sectional, formative assessment to understand current access to RMNCH information. The target population for this analysis includes 15-25-year-old male and female IDP youth from three Afghan Provinces. Survey data were collected using a structured questionnaire administered through face-to-face interviews. Data were analyzed descriptively. Results: A total of 450 IDP youth were surveyed in the three provinces (225 male and 225 female). Access to RMNCH information outside of health facilities was limited. Mobile phone ownership was nearly universal among male participants, yet considerably lower among females; nearly all participants without personal phones reported access to phones when needed. Although few participants spontaneously mentioned mobile phones as a preferred source of RMNCH information, most male and female respondents reported they would be very or somewhat likely to use a free, mobile-phone-based system to access such information if offered. Conclusions: Given widespread access and considerable interest voiced by participants, mobile phones may be a viable way to reach IDP youth with important RMNCH health information in this fragile setting. Interventions should be designed and pilot-tested to identify the most appropriate platforms and information content and to further document feasibility and acceptability.
Highlights
Despite improvements over the past two decades in reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health (RMNCH), Afghanistan continues to rank among the most disadvantaged countries globally for many health indicators[1,2]
Total fertility rate (TFR) among Afghan women is high at 5.3 children per woman, and age at first birth is low with 12% of girls ages 15-19 years initiating childbearing[3]
Demographic information The 450 Internally displaced persons (IDPs) youth ages 15–25 years surveyed in Kandahar, Nangarhar, and Takhar Provinces included 225 young men and 225 young women
Summary
Despite improvements over the past two decades in reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health (RMNCH), Afghanistan continues to rank among the most disadvantaged countries globally for many health indicators[1,2]. Afghanistan has a “youth bulge”, with more than half its population younger than 19 years; youth aged 15 to 24 years comprise 22.2% of the population[6] As these youth enter adulthood, marry, and begin their families, they constitute a key target for RMNCH interventions aimed to improve health and reduce maternal and child mortality. They are an important audience for health-related information, around RMNCH. Afghanistan ranks among the most disadvantaged globally for many key reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health (RMNCH) indicators, despite important gains in the past decade. Conclusions: Given widespread access and considerable interest voiced by participants, mobile phones may be a viable way to reach IDP youth with version 1 published 04 Jun 2019
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