Abstract
BackgroundSeveral cost-effective programs are being implemented around the world that use mobile technology to improve Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) uptake and awareness among youth. Mobile phone applications are a viable and effective means of increasing access to SRH services and tools in low and middle-income countries. This paper presents a protocol for a pilot study of a novel program, a mobile phone-based sexual and reproductive health services awareness and delivery application with the objective of increasing the demand for SRH services amongst the youth in Uganda.MethodsThe study employs rigorous evaluation methods to ascertain the impact of the mobile application. We propose a randomized control trial study to determine the causal effect of the mobile phone app in creating awareness and increasing uptake of sexual and reproductive health services in Uganda. The main outcome of the impact evaluation is the percentage change in the SRH services and tools uptake, SRH knowledge and sexual behavior. We will also conduct a model-based incremental cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA) and budget impact analysis (BIA). The main outcomes of the economic evaluation will be the average cost per app user, cost per app service and tool provided. We will also test the in-app advertising model as a way to generate revenue to sustain the program subsidies and related costs.DiscussionThe study seeks to establish the proof of concept of using a mobile application to increase create awareness and increase uptake of SRH tools and services among youth in Uganda. The study results will lead to the development of a demand-driven, culturally-relevant, and easy-to-use mobile app to enhance the uptake of SRH services among the youth in Uganda and globally.Trial registrationMUREC1/7 No. 07/05–18. Registered 29th June 2018.
Highlights
Several cost-effective programs are being implemented around the world that use mobile technology to improve Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) uptake and awareness among youth
We describe a pilot study to develop and evaluate a mobile phone application aimed at increasing uptake of SRH services among the youth in Uganda
The second phase is a prospective impact evaluation that will involve three complementary sub-studies: 1) a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effect of the app on SRH services awareness and uptake, 2) a cross-sectional study to assess the acceptability, user satisfaction, and the use of in-app advertising for revenue generation, and 3) a cost-effectiveness and budget impact analysis
Summary
Several cost-effective programs are being implemented around the world that use mobile technology to improve Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) uptake and awareness among youth. Over 16 million girls aged 15 to 19 give birth annually [2, 3] and over seven million girls aged 10 to 19 get unintended pregnancies for reasons such as poor access to education and contraception services [2, 4, 5]. These pregnancies lead to over three million unsafe abortions accounting for the largest cause of mortality among women aged 15 to 19 [2]. In addition to preventing the adverse health effects of unintended pregnancies, contraceptive use contributes to the realization of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by limiting the number of unplanned births and child deaths, and increasing the resource envelope that families spend on other necessities using money saved by having planned pregnancies [7]
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