Enhancing youth participation in the digital transformation of health in Africa: design, implementation, and evaluation of a youth-led designathon
1
1 College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
2
2 Federation of African Medical Students' Associations, Ibadan, Nigeria
3
3 Digital Health Africa, Lagos, Nigeria
4
4 College of Health Sciences, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria
5
5 University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Nigeria
6
6 Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
7
7 College of Medicine, Lagos State University, Ikeja, Nigeria
8
8 Bowen University, Iwo, Nigeria
9
9 Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A809
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Young people are central to the future of healthcare in Africa, but are often excluded from the design and implementation of digital health innovations. Targeted strategies are needed to engage young people in advancing digital health in Africa. To bridge this gap, we designed and implemented FAMSA AfroHack ’24, a youth-led, community-driven designathon to engage African students in developing innovative digital health solutions.
METHODS:
We launched an open call to crowdsource youth ideas on harnessing digital health to solve health challenges in Africa. Youths with the best submissions were invited to join a four-day designathon for African students. Participants engaged in training sessions, refined their ideas, and pitched to a panel of expert judges. Pitched ideas were evaluated based on innovation, feasibility, teamwork, and potential impact. Pre- and post-designathon surveys were also administered and analyzed to assess the feasibility and impact of the event.
RESULTS:
We received submissions from 77 youths across six countries. Eligible entries were received through an online cloud-based form. The entries were graded by an expert team and five teams were selected to participate in the event. The average age of the participants was 23.88 years (SD: 2.60), and 29.4% were female. The proposed solutions leveraged various technologies like mobile health applications, AI/machine learning, and wearable devices. Proposed solutions leveraged prevention education, screening and early disease detection, surveillance, and digital tracking to facilitate infectious and non-communicable disease prevention and management. Participants also gained skills in design thinking, research, pitching, communication, and teamwork. The best three teams were pronounced winners and received microgrants and mentorship to support their ideas.
CONCLUSIONS:
The designathon effectively engaged young people in generating innovative ideas to solve African health challenges using digital solutions. There is a need for further evaluation of these solutions following extensive development and implementation.
Young people are central to the future of healthcare in Africa, but are often excluded from the design and implementation of digital health innovations. Targeted strategies are needed to engage young people in advancing digital health in Africa. To bridge this gap, we designed and implemented FAMSA AfroHack ’24, a youth-led, community-driven designathon to engage African students in developing innovative digital health solutions.
METHODS:
We launched an open call to crowdsource youth ideas on harnessing digital health to solve health challenges in Africa. Youths with the best submissions were invited to join a four-day designathon for African students. Participants engaged in training sessions, refined their ideas, and pitched to a panel of expert judges. Pitched ideas were evaluated based on innovation, feasibility, teamwork, and potential impact. Pre- and post-designathon surveys were also administered and analyzed to assess the feasibility and impact of the event.
RESULTS:
We received submissions from 77 youths across six countries. Eligible entries were received through an online cloud-based form. The entries were graded by an expert team and five teams were selected to participate in the event. The average age of the participants was 23.88 years (SD: 2.60), and 29.4% were female. The proposed solutions leveraged various technologies like mobile health applications, AI/machine learning, and wearable devices. Proposed solutions leveraged prevention education, screening and early disease detection, surveillance, and digital tracking to facilitate infectious and non-communicable disease prevention and management. Participants also gained skills in design thinking, research, pitching, communication, and teamwork. The best three teams were pronounced winners and received microgrants and mentorship to support their ideas.
CONCLUSIONS:
The designathon effectively engaged young people in generating innovative ideas to solve African health challenges using digital solutions. There is a need for further evaluation of these solutions following extensive development and implementation.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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