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Mobile for Reproductive Health (m4RH) Afghanistan

Afghanistan, South Asia

Mobile for Reproductive Health (m4RH) is a phone-based program providing on-demand family planning and maternal health information in Dari and Pashto via the 2-3-4 platform (Roshan Telecommunications). Launched October 2017 under the USAID HEMAYAT project, it offers audio messages on contraception methods, breastfeeding, antenatal care, and newborn care. Over 103,859 messages were heard in 23 months. SMS blast promotion proved most effective, and most callers were youth under 18, demonstrating reach to hard-to-access populations.

Behavior Goal

Increase access to family planning information, improve maternal and newborn health knowledge through discreet mobile phone-based health education

Implementers & Partners

  • FHI 360
  • HEMAYAT Project
  • Viamo
  • Roshan Telecommunications

Donors & Sponsors

  • USAID

Key Takeaways

  • 1Mobile phones reach populations with barriers to health facility access
  • 2Audio messages in local languages overcome literacy barriers
  • 3SMS blast promotion most effective for driving call volume
  • 4Youth under 18 were primary users - reaching hard-to-access demographic
  • 5IUCD information was most popular topic selected by users

Sources

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