Co creating an integrated e Health Intervention to Improve Sexual and Reproductive Health and Reduce NCD Risk Among Adolescents and Young Adults in Rural South Africa
1
The George Institute For Global Health, Hyderabad, India
2
South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A889
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Access to Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) services among adolescent girls and young women (AYA) remains limited in many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), particularly in rural settings, contributing to high rates of maternal morbidity, unintended pregnancies, and HIV infections. Simultaneously, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) account for nearly 65% of deaths among women worldwide, with 80% of these deaths occurring in LMICs. Given shared behavioural risk factors including tobacco and alcohol use, unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, and environmental exposures- integrated approaches are urgently needed. Ehealth technologies offer a promising platform to increase awareness, strengthen health-seeking behaviours and connect AGYW to essential services.
METHODS:
This mixed-methods study aimed to cocreate an integrated ehealth prototype to promotes healthy behaviours, reduce NCD risks, and improve SRH outcomes among AYA aged 15–24 years living in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Using a cocreation framework, the study incorporated a systematic review, stakeholder and service mapping, in-depth interviews (IDIs), focus group discussions (FGDs), and participatory community workshops. Two advisory structures – a Youth Advisory Group and a Scientific Expert Advisory Group guided the iterative design and content development process. Participants included AYA, healthcare workers, teachers, educators, traditional leaders, community influencers, NGO representatives, and caregivers.
RESULTS:
Findings from four community workshops highlighted key requirements for an acceptable and accessible ehealth platform: safe and non-judgement digital spaces; offline or low-data functionality; culturally relevant, credible and easy to understand content; short and engaging visual format and strong emphasis on confidentiality and youth-friendly communication. These insights have informed prototype’s architecture and content strategy.
CONCLUSIONS:
Co-creation approach meaningfully engaged AYA and community stakeholders, enabling the development of context-specific, accessible, and trusted ehealth solutions addressing integrated SRH and NCD needs.
Access to Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) services among adolescent girls and young women (AYA) remains limited in many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), particularly in rural settings, contributing to high rates of maternal morbidity, unintended pregnancies, and HIV infections. Simultaneously, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) account for nearly 65% of deaths among women worldwide, with 80% of these deaths occurring in LMICs. Given shared behavioural risk factors including tobacco and alcohol use, unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, and environmental exposures- integrated approaches are urgently needed. Ehealth technologies offer a promising platform to increase awareness, strengthen health-seeking behaviours and connect AGYW to essential services.
METHODS:
This mixed-methods study aimed to cocreate an integrated ehealth prototype to promotes healthy behaviours, reduce NCD risks, and improve SRH outcomes among AYA aged 15–24 years living in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Using a cocreation framework, the study incorporated a systematic review, stakeholder and service mapping, in-depth interviews (IDIs), focus group discussions (FGDs), and participatory community workshops. Two advisory structures – a Youth Advisory Group and a Scientific Expert Advisory Group guided the iterative design and content development process. Participants included AYA, healthcare workers, teachers, educators, traditional leaders, community influencers, NGO representatives, and caregivers.
RESULTS:
Findings from four community workshops highlighted key requirements for an acceptable and accessible ehealth platform: safe and non-judgement digital spaces; offline or low-data functionality; culturally relevant, credible and easy to understand content; short and engaging visual format and strong emphasis on confidentiality and youth-friendly communication. These insights have informed prototype’s architecture and content strategy.
CONCLUSIONS:
Co-creation approach meaningfully engaged AYA and community stakeholders, enabling the development of context-specific, accessible, and trusted ehealth solutions addressing integrated SRH and NCD needs.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
We process personal data collected when visiting the website. The function of obtaining information about users and their behavior is carried out by voluntarily entered information in forms and saving cookies in end devices. Data, including cookies, are used to provide services, improve the user experience and to analyze the traffic in accordance with the Privacy policy. Data are also collected and processed by Google Analytics tool (more).
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
