ICT Solutions for Strengthening SRHR Programmes

This position paper explores some of the information and communication technology (ICT) solutions for sexual reproduction and health rights (SRHR) programmes that were developed by the International Institute for Communication and Development (IICD), a non-profit foundation whose work, mainly in sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America, specialised in ICT as a tool for development. In the work of this organisation, the type of ICT tools used and the final outcome always depended on the objectives of the programme, existing infrastructure, local context, and the capacities of implementing teams. However, some solutions IICD used include: (i) peer consultation platforms, clinical decision-making tools, and dashboards to improve healthcare delivery; (ii) information management systems and mobile data collection tools for strengthening health systems; (iii) SMS (text)-based platforms, multimedia, and helplines to improve community health awareness; (iii) eVouchers to increase access to health services; and (iv) e- and mLearning tools to strengthen professional skills. Tips from IICD's experience are included throughout the paper for each of these types of solutions. For instance, in places where sexual education remains a taboo, interactive platforms such as telephone helplines can provide direct and anonymous access to information about sexual health through content that resonate with the youth.

By using ICTs like these, organisations can effectively increase the reach, uptake, and quality of SRHR services through:

• "making health information and SRHR services more accessible,
• efficient and targeted sensitisation of specific groups,
• better and easier access to health management information to improve management of healthcare providers,
• creation of feedback mechanisms on policies or SRHR services being provided,
• faster and easier data collection on SRHR interventions or (infectious) diseases for monitoring and surveillance purposes,
• improved knowledge sharing on SRHR among health professionals,
• easier access to learning materials on SRHR topics for continuous professional development."

IICD explains that their approach combined technology solutions with the assessment of needs, design, customisation, roll-out and capacity building for users. This was designed to ensure high ICT adoption rates by the owners and users of the solution. Stakeholder engagement, capacity building, change management, technical support, and sustainability plans were all part of IICD's holistic approach to sustain the use and further integration of ICTs after the main implementation work has come to an end.

To illustrate, the paper provides several case studies of "exemplary solutions". For example, in Kenya, IICD developed an ICT platform (online and mobile) for a SRHR programme seeking to provide youth aged 15-24 with direct access to objective information about sexuality and sexual health. In Northern Ghana, as part of a broader programme to promote reproductive health among adolescents, IICD introduced an SMS platform to support outreach, frequent supply of reliable information, and interaction with peer educators and adolescents. In Uganda, IICD assisted a local health rights non-governmental organisation (NGO) to use ICT for sensitisation and the creation of feedback mechanisms to improve awareness and lobbying and advocacy on maternal health rights. An SMS campaign was designed to inform community members on available health services and their rights to receive good-quality healthcare. And in Malawi, in the catchment areas of Chikwawa, Blantyre, and Mangochi, IICD integrated different mobile applications (CommCare and a locally developed solution based on Frontline SMS) and a health management information system as part of a maternal and child health programme.