Researchers looked at 31 different apps, websites, and social media tools created to help teenagers and young adults in Ghana, Kenya, and South Africa learn about health and get health information. Most of these tools focused on sexual and reproductive health, and were created by local organizations trying to reach young people. The study found that these digital tools could really help improve young people’s health while also taking pressure off hospitals and doctors. However, the researchers say it’s important that these tools protect people’s privacy, are fair to everyone, and include what young people actually want and need.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: What kinds of digital health tools (apps, websites, chatbots, and social media) are being used to teach young people about health in three African countries, and whether these tools are safe and fair.
  • Who participated: The study didn’t involve actual people. Instead, researchers examined 31 different digital health tools that were created in Ghana, Kenya, and South Africa specifically for teenagers and young adults.
  • Key finding: Most digital health tools focus on sexual and reproductive health and are created by local non-profit organizations. These tools are mostly websites and social media pages designed to give young people better access to health information.
  • What it means for you: If you’re a young person in Sub-Saharan Africa, there are more digital tools available to learn about health topics. However, make sure any tool you use protects your privacy and treats everyone fairly. Parents and health workers should know that these tools could help reduce pressure on hospitals while keeping young people informed.

The Research Details

Researchers conducted a systematic review, which means they carefully searched the internet for all digital health tools created in Ghana, Kenya, and South Africa for young people. They used specific search terms and worked with local experts in each country to make sure they found all the important tools. The tools could be in any form—apps you download, websites you visit, chatbots you text with, or social media pages.

Once they found 31 tools, they analyzed each one to understand what it did, who created it, what health topics it covered, and what values it promoted (like privacy or fairness). They looked at patterns across all the tools to understand what types of digital health tools are most common in these countries.

This approach is like taking a snapshot of what’s currently available rather than testing whether the tools actually work. The researchers wanted to understand the landscape of digital health tools and identify what’s missing or needs improvement.

Understanding what digital health tools already exist helps health leaders and organizations decide where to invest money and effort. By looking at 31 real examples from three African countries, researchers could see patterns—like that sexual and reproductive health is the most common focus. This information helps identify gaps, like mental health and nutrition, where new tools could make a big difference. It also helps ensure that future tools are designed with young people’s input and protect their privacy.

This is a review study, which means it summarizes and analyzes existing information rather than conducting an experiment. The strength of this study is that researchers worked with local experts in each country, which helps ensure they found tools that might not be obvious to outsiders. The study looked at real tools that are actually being used. However, the study doesn’t test whether these tools actually improve young people’s health—it just describes what exists. The findings are limited to three countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, so results may not apply everywhere.

What the Results Show

Out of 31 digital health tools examined, sexual and reproductive health was by far the most common topic, appearing in the majority of tools. This makes sense because teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections are major health concerns for young people in these regions. Most tools were created and funded by local non-governmental organizations (NGOs), foundations, and international health organizations rather than by governments or private companies.

The tools were mostly websites and social media pages (like Facebook or WhatsApp), rather than downloadable apps. This is practical because many young people in these countries access the internet through social media rather than downloading apps. The main goal of nearly all tools was to increase young people’s knowledge about health and give them easier access to health information and services.

The researchers found that tools explicitly mentioned important values like expanding access to health information, protecting privacy, being transparent about how they work, treating everyone fairly, and including people with disabilities. These values suggest that creators are thinking about making tools that are safe and fair for all young people.

The study identified important gaps in what digital health tools are available. Mental health support, substance use prevention (like help with drugs and alcohol), and nutrition education were areas where very few tools exist, even though these are important health issues for young people. The researchers also found that while many tools focus on giving information, fewer tools help young people actually access medical services or connect with doctors. Most tools are in English, which may leave out young people who speak other local languages. The study noted that many tools don’t clearly explain how they protect users’ personal information or how they make decisions about what information to share.

Previous research has shown that young people increasingly use digital tools to find health information, especially in low- and middle-income countries where there aren’t enough doctors and clinics. This study confirms that trend and shows it’s happening in Sub-Saharan Africa. The finding that sexual and reproductive health dominates aligns with global patterns, where this topic is often the focus of youth health programs. However, this study is one of the first to carefully examine what digital health tools actually exist in these specific African countries and what they look like.

This study only looked at three countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, so findings may not apply to other African countries or regions. The researchers searched the internet for tools, which means they may have missed tools that aren’t well-known or aren’t in English. The study describes what tools exist but doesn’t test whether they actually help young people get healthier or whether young people actually use them. The study also doesn’t include information about how many young people use each tool or whether the tools are effective. Some tools may have changed or disappeared since the study was conducted.

The Bottom Line

Young people in Ghana, Kenya, and South Africa should feel encouraged to use digital health tools to learn about health topics, especially sexual and reproductive health. However, before using any tool, check whether it clearly explains how it protects your privacy and personal information. Parents, teachers, and health workers should support the creation of more digital health tools, especially for mental health, substance use prevention, and nutrition. Organizations creating these tools should include young people’s ideas and preferences in the design process. Governments should invest in digital health tools as a way to improve young people’s health while reducing pressure on hospitals and clinics. Confidence level: Moderate—this is based on analyzing existing tools rather than testing their effectiveness.

Young people (ages 13-24) in Sub-Saharan Africa should care about this research because it shows what digital health resources are available to them. Parents and teachers should care because these tools can help young people learn about important health topics. Health workers and doctors should care because digital tools can help answer young people’s questions and reduce the number of visits for basic health information. Government health officials and organizations that fund health programs should care because this research shows where to invest money for the biggest health impact. People who design health apps and websites should care because the study identifies what’s working and what gaps exist.

Digital health tools can provide information immediately—young people can learn about health topics as soon as they use the tool. However, seeing actual health improvements (like better nutrition habits or reduced substance use) typically takes weeks to months of regular use. Mental health benefits may take several weeks of consistent engagement. The long-term goal is that using these tools during teenage years will lead to better health habits throughout life.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track which health topics you search for or learn about most frequently (sexual health, mental health, nutrition, etc.) and note any changes in your knowledge or confidence about those topics over 4 weeks. You could rate your confidence level (1-10) before and after using a digital health tool.
  • Choose one digital health tool relevant to your health interest and commit to using it for 15 minutes, three times per week for one month. Set a reminder on your phone. After one month, reflect on what you learned and whether you made any changes to your health habits based on what you learned.
  • Keep a simple log of which digital health tools you use, what topics you learn about, and any health decisions or changes you make as a result. Every month, review your log to see patterns in what information helps you most. Share feedback with the tool creators about what’s working and what could improve.

This research describes digital health tools that exist in three African countries but does not test whether these tools actually improve health outcomes. Digital health tools should not replace visits to a doctor or healthcare provider for serious health concerns. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions based on information from digital tools. If you’re experiencing a mental health crisis or emergency, contact emergency services or a mental health professional immediately rather than relying solely on digital tools. The effectiveness and safety of individual digital health tools may vary, and you should verify that any tool you use has clear privacy protections and is created by reputable organizations. This summary is for educational purposes and should not be considered medical advice.