Innovative Digital Tools for SRHR Access: AI, Chatbots & Empowerment Messaging

In September 2025, Pakistan began the rollout of the national HPV vaccination campaign, aiming to reach 11.7M million girls aged 9-14. To complement government communication efforts, Viamo, in partnership with the Government of Pakistan, UNICEF, Aga Khan University (AKU), and the Gates Foundation, developed and deployed a voice-based Generative AI (GenAI) helpline to provide real-time, medically accurate information to caregivers via any basic mobile phone.
The GenAI helpline agent, Khadija, was hosted on Viamo's national free-to-user platform and linked directly to the government's 1166 human-staffed hotline. Khadija spoke simple Urdu, drawing on a retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) model trained entirely and exclusively on official HPV information approved by the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations & Coordination. Through 11 rounds of optimization, Viamo refined tone, safety guardrails, and accuracy with iterative input from the Federal Directorate of Immunization (FDI), AKU, and UNICEF.
During the three-week campaign, between September 15 - Oct 4, the 24/7 helpline reached 156,944 people with 10% (15,597) becoming unique users and asking at least one question to the helpline. A total of 47,488 questions were processed. The median wait time to interact was 15 seconds. Independent testing by AKU confirmed 86% medical accuracy and a System Usability Scale (SUS) score of 71.8, affirming system readiness and safety.
Early results suggest that a government-endorsed, locally developed GenAI tool can complement SBCC efforts and may improve equitable access. An ongoing independent evaluation by AKU will further assess caregiver trust, vaccine impact and sustained impact.

This study explores how an AI-powered, culturally grounded chatbot can improve access to family planning information among young people in Senegal. Integrated into the popular C'est la Vie universe and accessible via WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram, the chatbot was designed using a Human-Centered Design approach to address misinformation, stigma, and limited youth-friendly services. A mixed-methods pilot with users aged 15–24 showed high engagement, driven by relatable characters and confidential conversations. Findings highlight strong potential for digital SBC tools, while emphasizing the need for shorter responses, fewer characters, multilingual options, and links to health services for greater impact.

This study explored the usability, acceptability, and appropriateness of Coach Mpilo, an AI chatbot designed to provide empathetic, confidential support for HIV and TB information and behavior change in South Africa. 
Using the Technology Acceptance Model and user experience frameworks, the team employed proctored interaction, screen recording, interactional observation, surveys, interviews, and focus groups with potential users in South Africa. Participants were selected for diversity in relation to geography, age, gender, HIV status, TB history, and care-seeking behaviors. Quantitative data were analyzed using three separate validated scales/measures. Qualitative data were analyzed thematically.
Participants rated the prototype highly across all domains (usability, acceptability, appropriateness), characterizing it as "safe," "private," "anonymous," "non-judgmental," "accessible," and "trustworthy." Some noted that the AI coach made it easier to discuss sensitive or stigmatized issues than with a human provider. Conversational style, emotional warmth, and supportive tone of the AI coach were central to user appeal. 
Users recommended enhancements to increase control, choice, personalization, and cultural-linguistic relevance, including multilingual options, tailored reminders, multimedia messaging, and diverse referral pathways. While WhatsApp familiarity was high, some struggled with QR code onboarding and preferred entering the number manually.
Findings highlight the importance of empathy, trust, and cultural and linguistic resonance in driving user engagement, and underscore the value of a participatory, iterative process in designing client-facing digital health tools. For implementers, key considerations include reducing onboarding friction, designing for emotional safety and cultural relevance, and ensuring seamless integration with real-world health services.

The Delivering Innovation in Self-Care (DISC 2.0) project, aims to advance women's reproductive autonomy through self-injection of DMPA-SC in Mozambique. To ensure effective uptake and sustained use, the project conducted Co-Adaptation process to test, refine, and culturally adapt communication materials under the concept "Discover Your Power."
This co-adaptation workshop involved women aged 18–45 from urban, peri-urban, and rural areas of Zambézia and Nampula Province. Using journey mapping, material validation, and participatory exercises, participants explored how self-injection related to empowerment, decision-making, and social norms.
Findings showed that while women associated "power" with autonomy, education, and control over life goals, practical guidance and reassurance were equally critical to turning interest into action. Participants expressed strong motivation to self-inject due to privacy and convenience but emphasized the need for initial guidance and continuous support from health providers or mentors.
Although participants connected emotionally to the "Discover Your Power" messages, they emphasized the need for more practical, visual materials and community dialogue to normalize self-injection. 
This co-adaptation process highlights the value of empathy-based and participatory Social and Behavior Change (SBC) design. Empowerment narratives that balance aspiration with practical know-how can significantly strengthen self-care interventions and reproductive health autonomy.