Sexual and Reproductive Health —Enhancing Health Outcomes and Access to Information Among Youth

Plan A is a 23-minute entertainment-education (EE) video intervention designed to improve sexual and reproductive health outcomes among Black and Latina adolescent females-a population disproportionately affected by unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Developed through an iterative co-creation process with youth and clinic staff, Plan A uses relatable characters, culturally resonant narratives, and evidence-informed messages to model healthy communication, contraceptive decision-making, and STI/HIV prevention and testing behaviors.


A randomized controlled trial (n = 1,770) assessed Plan A's effectiveness among young women (ages 18–19) attending reproductive health clinics. Participants were randomly assigned to view Plan A or a control video prior to their clinic visit, with outcomes measured at 3- and 9-month follow-up. Compared to the control group, Plan A viewers demonstrated modest short-term improvements in HIV/STI testing and contraceptive knowledge, increased HIV/STI risk perception, greater uptake of long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) methods among new clinic visitors, and significant long-term reductions in unprotected sex. The intervention also increased provider–patient communication on a range of sexual health topics, offering insight into how EE programs may heighten self-advocacy and clinic engagement.


Acceptability findings indicate that Plan A is engaging, relevant, and feasible for implementation in diverse settings. This study highlights how brief, narrative, character-driven video interventions can improve sexual health outcomes through scalable, low-burden approaches.

This presentations details the personalisation approach adopted by the B-Wise WhatsApp chatbot developed by Reach Digital Health to improve Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours among South African youth (15-24).
Launched in 2022, the chatbot uses the COM-B behavior change model to deliver a tailored 3- to 5-month journey. Personalisation is based on user demographics and a risk profile built from responses to validated questionnaires covering, inter alia, sexual health, mental health and gender attitudes.
An endline evaluation found the chatbot was highly relevant (73%) and useful (88%). Results showed statistically significant improvements in SRH knowledge, attitudes, and condom use (in a sub-population). While other outcomes like contraceptive use and sex positivity were non-significant, user engagement data provided critical insights into gender- and relationship-specific differences in topic selection and drop-off points.
The project demonstrates the feasibility of delivering advanced, low-cost personalisation at scale via a simple platform like WhatsApp, suggesting a strong potential to increase service use. The presentation also explores factors affecting uptake and sustainability of a service of this nature, and its relevant in an increasingly AI-saturated environment.

Le projet « Pouvoir du numérique dans le bien-être des Adolescents et Jeunes » répond à des défis majeurs de santé sexuelle et reproductive auxquels font face les jeunes Guinéens, dans un contexte marqué par des grossesses précoces, une faible utilisation de la contraception moderne et de fortes barrières socioculturelles. Pour y remédier, l'initiative s'appuie sur une approche intégrée combinant numériques et actions communautaires. Au cœur du dispositif se trouve la plateforme Kouyé , conçue avec et pour les jeunes, offrant des informations fiables et accessibles sur la sexualité, la puberté, le consentement, la contraception et la lutte contre les violences basées sur le genre. Cette deuxième phase du projet renforce les contenus, améliore l'accessibilité linguistique et consolide les capacités de l'équipe de gestion.
La mise en œuvre repose sur trois étapes : la co-création de l'outil et de ses contenus ; sa promotion à travers les réseaux sociaux et des campagnes de sensibilisation dans les 7 régions du pays ; enfin, un suivi-évaluation continu permettant d'ajuster l'outil aux besoins exprimés par les utilisateurs. Les résultats montrent un fort engagement : plus de 14 700 jeunes sensibilisés, 6 160 téléchargements et une satisfaction quasi unanime des utilisateurs.
Les leçons tirées soulignent l'importance de l'implication des jeunes, des partenariats et de la complémentarité entre numérique et terrain. Malgré des défis persistants notamment financement, absence sur iOS, difficultés techniques, Kouyé apparaît comme un modèle prometteur, reproductible pour d'autres contextes confrontés à des enjeux similaires en matière de SSR et VBG.

Summary 
Limited access to accurate Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH) information among adolescents and youth in Tanzania persists due to cultural norms, religious beliefs, and policy restrictions. These barriers restrict informed decision-making and sustain myths and misconceptions surrounding SRH. Recognizing that behavior change requires a multisectoral approach, MSI Tanzania implemented a partnership-centered Social and Behavior Change Communication (SBCC) strategy to improve SRH awareness and service uptake.
Between January and December 2023, MSI Tanzania collaborated with the Ministry of Health, Mwananchi Communications, Kiki & Miles PR Agency, and family planning organizations to co-design and deliver SRH communication campaigns. Using radio programs, flyers, and social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and X (Twitter), the campaigns focused on adolescents and youth, particularly those in underserved communities. Campaigns included Jiongeze Tuwavushe Salama (Comprehensive Post-Abortion Care), Jikubali Timiza Malengo Yako (Family Planning), and Jitazame! Fanya #MaamuziSmart (Women's Empowerment). Digital influencers, co-branding with the Ministry of Health, and cross-platform tagging enhanced visibility, credibility, and trust.
This collective approach resulted in greater audience engagement, increased online following (11.6% on Instagram, 11.7% on Facebook), and over three million people reached nationwide. The initiative contributed to a rise in SRH service uptake, with one region reporting an increase from 28% in 2021 to 32% in 2024. Lessons learned highlight the importance of partnerships in scaling impact, ensuring message consistency, and strengthening youth-centered SRH advocacy.