Toolkit and content repository for digital client-facing platforms: family planning – World Health Organization (WHO)

Report on Digital Tools for Family Planning and Sustainable Development Goals

Overview

Digital tools have been identified as a vital approach to expanding access to family planning information and services. These tools align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 5 (Gender Equality), by promoting health education and empowering individuals to make informed reproductive choices.

Despite their potential, digital platforms face challenges such as poor-quality content and misinformation. These issues can undermine trust in health systems and result in adverse health outcomes, thereby hindering progress toward achieving the SDGs.

WHO Resource for Digital Family Planning Tools

The World Health Organization (WHO) has developed a resource providing reusable content packages derived from evidence-based guidelines. These packages are designed to inform client-facing digital tools including:

1. Short Message Service (SMS)
2. Interactive Voice Response (IVR)
3. Chatbots
4. Mobile Applications
5. Social Media Platforms

This initiative supports SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) by leveraging innovative digital technologies to improve health service delivery.

Content Repository and Implementation

The toolkit is complemented by a content repository organized by:

• Key messages related to family planning
• Common myths and misconceptions about contraceptive methods

This repository provides a validated and simplified foundation for implementers and content creators developing digital client-facing platforms. By ensuring accurate and reliable information dissemination, this effort contributes to SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), promoting equitable access to health knowledge.

Conclusion

The integration of WHO’s evidence-based digital content into family planning tools is a strategic advancement toward achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals. It enhances health literacy, combats misinformation, and supports equitable access to reproductive health services globally.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • The article focuses on expanding access to family planning information and services, which directly relates to ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all ages.
2. SDG 5: Gender Equality
   • Access to family planning is a key component of empowering women and promoting gender equality by enabling reproductive rights.
3. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
   • The use of digital tools such as SMS, IVR, chatbots, and mobile apps relates to building resilient infrastructure and fostering innovation.
4. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • Expanding access to family planning information through digital platforms can help reduce inequalities in health information access.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs

1. SDG 3 Targets
   • Target 3.7: Ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services, including family planning, information and education.
   • Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including access to quality essential health-care services.
2. SDG 5 Targets
   • Target 5.6: Ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights as agreed in accordance with the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development.
3. SDG 9 Targets
   • Target 9.5: Enhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors, including information and communication technologies.
4. SDG 10 Targets
   • Target 10.2: Empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied in the Article

1. Indicators for SDG 3
   • Indicator 3.7.1: Proportion of women of reproductive age (15-49 years) who have their need for family planning satisfied with modern methods.
   • Indicator 3.8.1: Coverage of essential health services, which may include access to validated family planning information via digital platforms.
2. Indicators for SDG 5
   • Indicator 5.6.1: Proportion of women aged 15-49 years who make their own informed decisions regarding sexual and reproductive health care.
3. Indicators for SDG 9
   • Indicator 9.5.1: Research and development expenditure as a proportion of GDP, implying investment in digital health tools.
   • Use and reach of digital health technologies (implied by the article’s focus on SMS, IVR, chatbots, and apps).
4. Indicators for SDG 10
   • Indicator 10.2.1: Proportion of people living below 50% of median income, which relates indirectly to access inequalities that digital tools aim to reduce.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: who.int