New digital toolkit to improve family planning content on apps, chatbots and digital spaces – World Health Organization (WHO)

Introduction to WHO’s Digital Toolkit for Family Planning

The World Health Organization (WHO), in collaboration with the United Nations Special Programme in Human Reproduction (HRP), has launched a new digital resource aimed at enhancing the quality of family planning information delivered through digital platforms. The Toolkit and Content Repository for Digital Client-Facing Platforms: Family Planning provides evidence-based, simplified messages suitable for use in mobile applications, social media, chatbots, and other digital media.

This initiative aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 5 (Gender Equality), by promoting access to accurate reproductive health information and supporting informed family planning decisions worldwide.

Addressing Gaps in Digital Health Content

With the increasing reliance on digital platforms for health information dissemination, the quality and accuracy of content have become critical concerns. The WHO toolkit addresses these challenges by offering a centralized, vetted source of family planning information grounded in WHO clinical guidelines.

“This toolkit is a practical resource for anyone looking to ensure their digital content aligns with WHO recommendations and a step in addressing misinformation.”

This resource supports SDG 4 (Quality Education) by combating misinformation and enhancing health literacy through reliable digital content.

Contents of the Toolkit

The toolkit comprises four key components designed to facilitate the creation and management of quality family planning content:

1. Health Interventions and Recommendations: A summary of WHO’s authoritative guidance on family planning.
2. User Scenarios: Practical examples illustrating how diverse users can apply the toolkit in various real-world contexts.
3. Content Repository: A downloadable spreadsheet containing simplified messages and myth-busting facts to support accurate information dissemination.
4. Performance Metrics: Suggested indicators to monitor user engagement and evaluate the effectiveness of digital tools.

The toolkit’s adaptable design enables localization to respect cultural norms, languages, and digital usage patterns, thereby supporting SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) by ensuring inclusivity and accessibility.

Practical Applications and Use Cases

The toolkit is intended for a broad range of users, including ministries of health, non-governmental organizations, social media influencers, and software developers. Sample scenarios demonstrate its utility:

• A programme manager updating content on an existing mobile health application.
• A social media influencer fact-checking posts and responding to followers’ questions.

For example, a fictional influencer named Aisha utilizes the toolkit to produce a video series debunking common contraception myths. This empowers young viewers like Miriam, a 19-year-old follower, to make informed reproductive health decisions, advancing SDG 3 and SDG 5.

Future Prospects: Integration with Artificial Intelligence

While currently focused on scripted content, the toolkit has potential applications in artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. AI-driven chatbots could leverage the content repository to provide accurate, real-time answers to user inquiries. Additionally, AI could personalize family planning information based on user demographics and preferences, enhancing user engagement and effectiveness.

This innovation supports SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) by fostering the use of advanced technologies in health communication.

Flexibility and Community Collaboration

The toolkit is designed as a flexible resource rather than a prescriptive solution. It encourages collaboration with local experts and communities to ensure that content is culturally relevant, respectful, and effective. This approach promotes SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) by fostering multi-sectoral cooperation to improve reproductive health outcomes globally.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • The article focuses on improving family planning information and reproductive health, directly contributing to ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages.
2. SDG 5: Gender Equality
   • By providing accurate family planning information, the toolkit supports women’s empowerment and reproductive rights, which are key aspects of achieving gender equality.
3. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
   • The development and use of digital tools and AI integration for health information dissemination relate to fostering innovation and building resilient infrastructure.
4. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • The collaboration between WHO, the United Nations Special Programme in Human Reproduction (HRP), ministries of health, NGOs, and other stakeholders reflects partnerships to achieve sustainable development.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • 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: Gender Equality
   • 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: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
   • Target 9.5: Enhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities of health-related sectors, including digital health innovations.
4. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied in the Article

1. Performance Metrics for Digital Tools
   • The article mentions “performance metrics – suggested indicators for tracking user engagement and tool effectiveness,” which implies indicators such as:
     • User engagement rates (e.g., number of users interacting with the digital content)
     • Effectiveness of the toolkit in reducing misinformation (e.g., accuracy of information shared, reduction in myths)
     • Reach and adaptation of content to local contexts (e.g., number of languages or cultural adaptations)
2. Indicators Related to Family Planning and Reproductive Health
   • Although not explicitly stated, the toolkit supports indicators such as:
     • Contraceptive prevalence rate
     • Unmet need for family planning
     • Access to reproductive health services
3. AI Integration Indicators
   • Potential indicators for AI tools include:
     • Accuracy and responsiveness of AI chatbots
     • User satisfaction and personalization effectiveness

4. Table: SDGs, Targets and Indicators

Source: who.int