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Are mHealth Interventions Effective in Improving the Uptake of Sexual and Reproductive Health Services among Adolescents? A Scoping Review

Author

Listed:
  • Nazeema Isaacs

    (Human Sciences Research Council, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
    Impact Centre, Cape Town 8001, South Africa)

  • Xolani Ntinga

    (Human Sciences Research Council, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
    Centre for Community-Based Research, Durban 4001, South Africa)

  • Thabo Keetsi

    (Human Sciences Research Council, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
    Centre for Community-Based Research, Durban 4001, South Africa)

  • Lindelwa Bhembe

    (Human Sciences Research Council, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
    Centre for Community-Based Research, Durban 4001, South Africa)

  • Bongumenzi Mthembu

    (Human Sciences Research Council, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
    Centre for Community-Based Research, Durban 4001, South Africa)

  • Allanise Cloete

    (Human Sciences Research Council, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
    Public Health, Societies and Belonging (PHSB) Division, Cape Town 8001, South Africa)

  • Candice Groenewald

    (Human Sciences Research Council, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
    Centre for Community-Based Research, Durban 4001, South Africa
    Psychology Department, Rhodes University, Grahamstown 8001, South Africa)

Abstract

Adolescents continue to face challenges to their sexual and reproductive health (SRH) both locally and internationally. Digital technologies such as the Internet, text messaging, and social media are often viewed as valuable tools for disseminating information on SRH. Mobile health, also known as mHealth, is a medical and public health practise that uses these digital technologies to communicate information. The literature has revealed that mHealth interventions have a positive outcome in delivering SRH information to adolescents. This review aimed to synthesise empirical studies that evaluate mHealth interventions and assess the extent to which these mHealth interventions promote sexual and reproductive health outcomes among young people. This scoping review reviewed the literature across four databases, including EBSCOhost, Scopus, Proquest, and Cochrane, and included 12 articles. The findings have shown that mHealth interventions are effective in enhancing sexual and reproductive health (SRH) knowledge and attitudes among young people in both low-middle and high-income countries. However, comprehensive longitudinal studies are necessary to measure the sustainability and long-term influence of mHealth interventions on behaviour. It is recommended that with artificial intelligence (AI) improvements, there is a possible path to bolstering mHealth interventions.

Suggested Citation

  • Nazeema Isaacs & Xolani Ntinga & Thabo Keetsi & Lindelwa Bhembe & Bongumenzi Mthembu & Allanise Cloete & Candice Groenewald, 2024. "Are mHealth Interventions Effective in Improving the Uptake of Sexual and Reproductive Health Services among Adolescents? A Scoping Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(2), pages 1-17, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:21:y:2024:i:2:p:165-:d:1330783
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Widman, L. & Golin, C.E. & Kamke, K. & Burnette, J.L. & Prinstein, M.J., 2018. "Sexual assertiveness skills and sexual decision-making in adolescent girls: Randomized controlled trial of an online program," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 108(1), pages 96-102.
    2. Rokicki, S. & Cohen, J. & Salomon, J.A. & Fink, G., 2017. "Impact of a text-messaging programon adolescent reproductive health: A cluster-randomized trial in Ghana," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 107(2), pages 298-305.
    3. Benjamin Chaix & Benjamin Chaix & Benjamin Chaix & Arthur Guillemassé & Pierre Nectoux & Guillaume Delamon & Benoît Brouard & Jean Emmanuel Bibault, 2020. "Vik- A Chatbot to Support Patients with Chronic Diseases," Biomedical Journal of Scientific & Technical Research, Biomedical Research Network+, LLC, vol. 27(1), pages 20501-20504, April.
    4. David Moher & Alessandro Liberati & Jennifer Tetzlaff & Douglas G Altman & The PRISMA Group, 2009. "Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses: The PRISMA Statement," PLOS Medicine, Public Library of Science, vol. 6(7), pages 1-6, July.
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    Cited by:

    1. Pina Lalli & Claudia Capelli, 2025. "Sextagram: Evaluating an Italian Instagram-Based Health Campaign Against AIDS," Societies, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-18, March.

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