Preventing Pregnancy in Kenya Through Distribution and Use of the CycleBeads Mobile Application

Shelus, Victoria; Ashcroft, Nicki; Burgess, Sarah; Giuffrida, Monica; Jennings, Victoria

doi:10.1363/43e4617

Cited by 14 publications

(24 citation statements)

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“…MPAs are increasingly used in low- and middle-income countries for a wide range of applications, although applications in this setting are far exceeded by applications in high-income settings [ 12 ]. In sub-Saharan Africa and in the area of SRH, apps have been deployed to the public to support family planning [ 13 ] and to healthcare workers for improving provider quality of maternal and neonatal care [ 10 , 14 – 19 ]. To our knowledge, this is the first report of an app deployed to members of the public to increase access to SRH information, goods, and services in the low-income setting.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effectiveness of a mobile phone application to increase access to sexual and reproductive health information, goods, and services among university students in Uganda: a randomized controlled trial

Nuwamanya

Nalwanga²,

Babigumira³

et al. 2020

Contracept Reprod Med

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Background University students are one of the most vulnerable groups to sexual reproductive health [SRH] threats like sexually transmitted infections [STIs], unwanted pregnancies, and unsafe abortions and often have limited access to SRH information, goods, and services. This study assessed the effectiveness of using a mobile phone application (APP) to increase access to SRH information, goods, and services among university students in Uganda. Methods Using data from a double-blinded randomized controlled trial, participants were randomly assigned to both the intervention (APP) and control (standard of care) arms. We executed descriptive analyses for baseline demographic characteristics by intervention, difference in difference (DID), and quantile regression analyses for both primary and secondary outcomes. Results The median age of participants was 21 years of age, and the majority were female (over 60%), unemployed (over 85%) and Christian (90%). Over 50% were resident in off-campus hostels and in a relationship. Between baseline and end-line, there was a significant increase in SRH knowledge score (DID = 2, P < 0.001), contraceptive use (DID = 6.6%, P < 0.001), HIV Voluntary testing and counselling (DID = 17.2%, P < 0.001), STI diagnosis and treatment (DID = 12.9%, P < 0.001), and condom use at last sex (DID = 4%,P = 0.02) among students who used the APP. There was a significant 0.98 unit increase in knowledge score (adjusted coefficient = 0.98, P < 0.001), a significant 1.6-fold increase in odds of contraceptive use (adjusted coefficient = 1.6, P = 0.04), a significant 3.5-fold increase in HIV VCT (adjusted coefficient = 3.5, P < 0.001), and a significant 2-fold increase in odds of STI testing and treatment (adjusted coefficient = 1.9, P < 0.001) after adjusting for demographic characteristics among APP users compared to the control group. Conclusion A mobile phone application increased sexual and reproductive health information (knowledge score), access to goods (contraceptives), and services (HIV voluntary testing and counseling and sexually transmitted infection diagnosis and management) among sexually active university students in Uganda. Further technical development, including the refinement of youth-friendly attributes, extending access to the app with other platforms besides android which was pilot tested, as well as further research into potential economic impact and paths to sustainability, is needed before the app is deployed to the general youth population in Uganda and other low-income settings. Trial registration MUREC1/7 No. 07/05–18. Registered on June 29, 2018.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effectiveness of a mobile phone application to increase access to sexual and reproductive health information, goods, and services among university students in Uganda: a randomized controlled trial

Nuwamanya

Nalwanga²,

Babigumira³

et al. 2020

Contracept Reprod Med

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“…The development of a validated fertility knowledge instrument would also be useful in advancing this research. Informed consumer campaigns have a role to play in marketing apps to women that do have the capacity to act as digital platforms for proven FABM and have research to support their efficacy (22)(23)(24). For women who want to use these tools to prevent pregnancy, consumer education and behavior change communications to bolster informed health decision-making, including © mHealth.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

User profile and preferences in fertility apps for preventing pregnancy: an exploratory pilot study

Starling¹,

Kandel²,

Haile³

et al. 2018

mHealth

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Women who use or wish to use apps to prevent pregnancy are seeking apps that are scientifically sound and provide them personalized information around their potential fertility. However, most fertility apps women reported using lack the capability for true fertility-awareness based method application for accurate, reliable pregnancy prevention. More research is needed to evaluate apps for efficacy and accuracy preventing pregnancy. Collaborations between app developers and women's health experts are encouraged, as well as informed consumerism campaigns.

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“…Although 2 apps have received clearance from the United States Food and Drug Administration for use as a contraceptive method (Natural Cycles in 2018, 22 which also received CE Marking in Europe, and Clue in 2021 23 ), most such apps or devices are not tested or indicated for this purpose and may offer predictions of unknown accuracy regarding the timing of fertile days. 24,25 Research focused specifically on FABM use in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs) has been particularly limited (with exceptions from the United States Agency for International Development and the Institute for Reproductive Health at Georgetown University 18,[26][27][28][29][30][31] ). However, there are existing and emerging reasons for greater understanding around FABM use in LMICs.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Use of Fertility Awareness-Based Methods for Pregnancy Prevention Among Ghanaian Women: A Nationally Representative Cross-Sectional Survey

Polis

Otupiri

Bell

et al. 2021

Glob Health Sci Pract

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Standard approaches underestimate fertility awareness-based method (FABM) use; we posit that at least 18% of contracepting Ghanaian women likely use an FABM.n Economically and educationally advantaged women had higher odds of current FABM use (versus intrauterine device/hormonal method), which may suggest deliberateness of method selection (as opposed to limited access to alternatives).n Most (92%) rhythm users wish to improve the effectiveness of their method, and many are willing to track additional biomarkers, but only 17% ever discussed their method with a health professional.

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Preventing Pregnancy in Kenya Through Distribution and Use of the CycleBeads Mobile Application

Abstract: Offering the CycleBeads app to support women in use of the Standard Days Method may expand family planning options, reduce unmet need and make family planning more widely available.

Cited by 14 publications

References 0 publications

Effectiveness of a mobile phone application to increase access to sexual and reproductive health information, goods, and services among university students in Uganda: a randomized controlled trial

Effectiveness of a mobile phone application to increase access to sexual and reproductive health information, goods, and services among university students in Uganda: a randomized controlled trial

User profile and preferences in fertility apps for preventing pregnancy: an exploratory pilot study

Use of Fertility Awareness-Based Methods for Pregnancy Prevention Among Ghanaian Women: A Nationally Representative Cross-Sectional Survey

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