Across Sub-Saharan Africa, adolescents and young adults face persistent barriers in accessing youth-friendly SRH services (Ninsiima et al., 2021; Sidamo et al., 2023). Despite substantial investments in awareness campaigns and contraceptive supply chains, uptake remains low due to strong social taboos surrounding sex and SRH conversations, combined with clinics that are not youth-friendly. Young people often feel judged, unsafe, or unheard when seeking support.
Sema na Me, a youth-driven, AI-enabled digital companion on WhatsApp, provides a safe, judgment-free space where young people (ages 15-24) can ask sensitive questions, explore SRH content, and disclose real concerns. Built on Glific-Gupshup architecture using GPT-4, the chatbot applied an agile "learn and adapt" SBCC framework integrating behavioral science, AI, and data analytics. Users engaged through social media, QR codes in comics, and YouTube, receiving personalized conversations and referrals to youth-friendly SRH providers.
Over 6 months, Sema na Me reached 5,528 users and generated 2,576 successful referrals. Most conversations (60%) centered on reproductive health, confirming fear of judgment as a primary barrier. Over 60% of engagements occurred between 10 PM–5 AM, highlighting the need for privacy-sensitive, always-on platforms. Partner organizations reported 20-30% increased service uptake attributed to chatbot referrals.
This innovation demonstrates how AI-enabled SBCC can transform demand generation by centering youth voices, creating two-way communication ecosystems, and operationalizing empathetic, confidential engagement at scale - offering a replicable model for youth-led change across health, education, and beyond.
Across Sub-Saharan Africa, adolescents and young adults face persistent barriers in accessing youth-friendly SRH services (Ninsiima et al., 2021; Sidamo et al., 2023). Despite substantial investments in awareness campaigns and contraceptive supply chains, uptake remains low due to strong social taboos surrounding sex and SRH conversations, combined with clinics that are not youth-friendly. Young people often feel judged, unsafe, or unheard when seeking support.
Sema na Me, a youth-driven, AI-enabled digital companion on WhatsApp, provides a safe, judgment-free space where young people (ages 15-24) can ask sensitive questions, explore SRH content, and disclose real concerns. Built on Glific-Gupshup architecture using GPT-4, the chatbot applied an agile "learn and adapt" SBCC framework integrating behavioral science, AI, and data analytics. Users engaged through social media, QR codes in comics, and YouTube, receiving personalized conversations and referrals to youth-friendly SRH providers.
Over 6 months, Sema na Me reached 5,528 users and generated 2,576 successful referrals. Most conversations (60%) centered on reproductive health, confirming fear of judgment as a primary barrier. Over 60% of engagements occurred between 10 PM–5 AM, highlighting the need for privacy-sensitive, always-on platforms. Partner organizations reported 20-30% increased service uptake attributed to chatbot referrals.
This innovation demonstrates how AI-enabled SBCC can transform demand generation by centering youth voices, creating two-way communication ecosystems, and operationalizing empathetic, confidential engagement at scale - offering a replicable model for youth-led chan ...
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