Digital Support Education on Risky Adolescent Reproductive Health Behaviors: A Systematic Review
Abstract
Adolescents are a group vulnerable to reproductive health issues. One contributing factor is a lack of literacy and limited access to sexual and reproductive health services. Educational interventions supported by digital technology, such as mobile applications, websites, and social media, aim to provide information related to sexual and reproductive health. These interventions are expected to reduce risky behaviors, including preventing sexually transmitted infections, unwanted pregnancies, and making appropriate reproductive health decisions. However, the effectiveness of digital-supported educational interventions remains variable. Objective: examined the effectiveness of health education using digital support from various journal articles. Method: systematic review approach was used to analyze and evaluate several research results through literature searches with Proquest, Wiley, Science Direct and Spinger Link databases with experimental and RCT research types. Results: The results of a review of thirteen articles can be concluded that interventions with digital support can significantly ( <0.05) increase adolescents' knowledge about reproductive health, improve attitudes towards preventing adolescent health risk behaviors, improve behavior in maintaining reproductive health disease prevention, increase self-efficacy and reduce the incidence of physical violence and sexual violence. Recommendations: It is recommended that interventions involve both adolescents and their parents, as parental roles are crucial in providing support to adolescents.
References
Aina, H., Masyitah, S., & Ulfa, L. (2020). Determinants of Sexual Behavior in Adolescents. Journal of Health Sciences , 10 (2), 141–150. https://doi.org/10.52643/JBIK.V10I2.942
Akande, O.W., Muzigaba, M., Igumbor, E.U., Elimian, K., Bolarinwa, O.A., Musa, O.I., & Akande, T.M. (2024a). The effectiveness of an m-Health intervention on the sexual and reproductive health of in-school adolescents: a cluster randomized controlled trial in Nigeria. Reproductive Health , 21 (1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12978-023-01735-4
Akande, O.W., Muzigaba, M., Igumbor, E.U., Elimian, K., Bolarinwa, O.A., Musa, O.I., & Akande, T.M. (2024b). The effectiveness of an m-Health intervention on the sexual and reproductive health of in-school adolescents: a cluster randomized controlled trial in Nigeria. Reproductive Health , 21 (1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12978-023-01735-4
Bacchus, L.J., Reiss, K., Church, K., Colombini, M., Pearson, E., Naved, R., Smith, C., Andersen, K., & Free, C. (2019). Using Digital Technology for Sexual and Reproductive Health: Are Programs Adequately Considering Risk? Global Health: Science and Practice , 7 (4), 507. https://doi.org/10.9745/GHSP-D-19-00239
Brayboy, L.M., McCoy, K., Thamotharan, S., Zhu, E., Gil, G., & Houck, C. (2018). The use of technology in the sexual health education especially among minority adolescent girls in the United States. Current Opinion in Obstetrics & Gynecology , 30 (5), 305–309. https://doi.org/10.1097/GCO.0000000000000485
Brody, C., Chhoun, P., Tuot, S., Fehrenbacher, A.E., Moran, A., Swendeman, D., & Yi, S. (2022). A Mobile Intervention to Link Young Female Entertainment Workers in Cambodia to Health and Gender-Based Violence Services: Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of Medical Internet Research , 24 (1). https://doi.org/10.2196/27696
Djuwitaningsih, S., & Setyowati. (2017). The Development of an Interactive Health Education Model Based on the Djuwita Application for Adolescent Girls. Comprehensive Child and Adolescent Nursing , 40 , 169–182. https://doi.org/10.1080/24694193.2017.1386986
Doubova, S.V., Martinez-Vega, I.P., Infante-Casta°eda, C., & P°rez-Cuevas, R. (2017a). Effects of an internet-based educational intervention to prevent high-risk sexual behavior in Mexican adolescents. Health Education Research , 32 (6), 487–498. https://doi.org/10.1093/her/cyx074
Doubova, S.V., Martinez-Vega, I.P., Infante-Casta°eda, C., & P°rez-Cuevas, R. (2017b). Effects of an internet-based educational intervention to prevent high-risk sexual behavior in Mexican adolescents. Health Education Research , 32 (6), 487–498. https://doi.org/10.1093/her/cyx074
Glass, N., Bloom, T., Alexander, K.A., Emezue, C., Olawole, W., Clough, A., Turner, R., & Perrin, N. (2024a). Effectiveness of the myPlan Teen App, a Digital Healthy Relationship and Safety Planning Intervention With Adolescent Aged 15–17 Years. Journal of Adolescent Health , 75 (4), 665–672. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2024.06.014
Glass, N., Bloom, T., Alexander, K.A., Emezue, C., Olawole, W., Clough, A., Turner, R., & Perrin, N. (2024b). Effectiveness of the myPlan Teen App, a Digital Healthy Relationship and Safety Planning Intervention With Adolescent Aged 15–17 Years. Journal of Adolescent Health , 75 (4), 665–672. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2024.06.014
Janighorban, M., Boroumandfar, Z., Pourkazemi, R., & Mostafavi, F. (2022). Barriers to vulnerable adolescent girls' access to sexual and reproductive health. BMC Public Health , 22 (1), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1186/S12889-022-14687-4/TABLES/3
Mansor, N., Ahmad, N., Said, SM, Tan, KA, & Sutan, R. (2023a). Effectiveness of a Theory-Based Digital Animated Video Intervention to Reduce Intention and Willingness to Sex Among Diploma Students: Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of Medical Internet Research , 25 . https://doi.org/10.2196/48968
Mansor, N., Ahmad, N., Said, SM, Tan, KA, & Sutan, R. (2023b). Effectiveness of a Theory-Based Digital Animated Video Intervention to Reduce Intention and Willingness to Sex Among Diploma Students: Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of Medical Internet Research , 25 . https://doi.org/10.2196/48968
Martínez-García, G., Ewing, A.C., Olugbade, Y., DiClemente, R.J., & Kourtis, A.P. (2023a). Crush: A Randomized Trial to Evaluate the Impact of a Mobile Health App on Adolescent Sexual Health. Journal of Adolescent Health , 72 (2), 287–294. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2022.09.019
Martínez-García, G., Ewing, A.C., Olugbade, Y., DiClemente, R.J., & Kourtis, A.P. (2023b). Crush: A Randomized Trial to Evaluate the Impact of a Mobile Health App on Adolescent Sexual Health. Journal of Adolescent Health , 72 (2), 287–294. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2022.09.019
Mustanski, B., Saber, R., Macapagal, K., Matson, M., Laber, E., Rodrgiuez-Diaz, C., Moran, KO, Carrion, A., Moskowitz, D.A., & Newcomb, M.E. (2023). Effectiveness of the SMART Sex Ed program among 13–18 year old English and Spanish speaking adolescent men who have sex with men. AIDS and Behavior , 27 (2), 733–744. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-022-03806-2
Nicolla, S., Lazard, A.J., Austin, L.L., Freelon, D., Reyes, H.L.M.N., & Moracco, K.E. (2023). TikToks Lead to Higher Knowledge and Perceived Severity of Sexual Violence among Adolescent Men. Journal of Youth and Adolescence , 52 (12), 2449–2463. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-023-01867-7
Nik Farid, ND, Mohd Arshad, MF bin, Yakub, NA, Ahmad Zaki, R., Muhamad, H., Abdul Aziz, N., & Dahlui, M. (2018a). Improving Malaysian adolescent sexual and reproductive health: An Internet-based health promotion program as a potential intervention. Health Education Journal , 77 (7), 837–848. https://doi.org/10.1177/0017896918778071
Nik Farid, ND, Mohd Arshad, MF bin, Yakub, NA, Ahmad Zaki, R., Muhamad, H., Abdul Aziz, N., & Dahlui, M. (2018b). Improving Malaysian adolescent sexual and reproductive health: An Internet-based health promotion program as a potential intervention. Health Education Journal , 77 (7), 837–848. https://doi.org/10.1177/0017896918778071
Phongluxa, K., Langeslag, G., Jat, T.R., Kounnavong, S., Khan, M.A., & Essink, D.R. (2020). Factors influencing sexual and reproductive health among adolescents in Lao PDR. Global Health Action , 13 (suppl2). https://doi.org/10.1080/16549716.2020.1791426
Pratomo, H., Sekarrini, L., Siregar, KN, Hanifah, L., & Kusumayati, A. (2022). Adolescent Reproductive Health: Theory & Service Programs in Indonesia (I. Jemadi, Ed.; 1st Printing). PT. Rajagrafindo Persada.
Purnama, FH, & Raharjo, ST (2018). THE ROLE OF SCHOOL AND ADOLESCENT BEHAVIOR (The Role of School and Behavior of Adolescents). Proceedings of Research & Community Service , 5 (3), 205–213. https://doi.org/http://jurnal.unpad.ac.id/prosiding/article/viewFile/18631/pdf
Rohrbach, LA, Donatello, RA, Moulton, BD, Afifi, AA, Meyer, KI, & De Rosa, CJ (2019a). Effectiveness Evaluation of It's Your Game: Keep It Real, a Middle School HIV/Sexually Transmitted Infection/Pregnancy Prevention Program. Journal of Adolescent Health , 64 (3), 382–389. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2018.09.021
Rohrbach, LA, Donatello, RA, Moulton, BD, Afifi, AA, Meyer, KI, & De Rosa, CJ (2019b). Effectiveness Evaluation of It's Your Game: Keep It Real, a Middle School HIV/Sexually Transmitted Infection/Pregnancy Prevention Program. Journal of Adolescent Health , 64 (3), 382–389. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2018.09.021
Scull, T., Malik, C., Morrison, A., & Keefe, E. (2021a). Promoting Sexual Health in High School: A Feasibility Study of A Web-based Media Literacy Education Program. Journal of Health Communication , 26 (3), 147–160. https://doi.org/10.1080/10810730.2021.1893868
Scull, T., Malik, C., Morrison, A., & Keefe, E. (2021b). Promoting Sexual Health in High School: A Feasibility Study of A Web-based Media Literacy Education Program. Journal of Health Communication , 26 (3), 147–160. https://doi.org/10.1080/10810730.2021.1893868
Setyawan, A., & Sari, DNA (2024). Application of Animation Videos in Preventing Sexual Violence Against Street Children. Current Journal of Community Service Health , 3 (1), 9–17. https://doi.org/10.58516/70D4KN53
Shafii, T., Benson, S.K., Morrison, D.M., Hughes, J.P., Golden, M.R., & Holmes, K.K. (2019a). Results from e-KiSs: Electronic-KIOSK Intervention for Safer Sex: A pilot randomized controlled trial of an interactive computer-based intervention for sexual health in adolescents and young adults. PLOS ONE , 14 (1). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0209064
Shafii, T., Benson, S.K., Morrison, D.M., Hughes, J.P., Golden, M.R., & Holmes, K.K. (2019b). Results from e-KiSs: Electronic-KIOSK Intervention for Safer Sex: A pilot randomized controlled trial of an interactive computer-based intervention for sexual health in adolescents and young adults. PLOS ONE , 14 (1). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0209064
Tiara Maulia, S., Yusra, A., Sarman, F., & Alridho Lubis, M. (2024). Digital Literacy Education Efforts Through Online Media in Preventing Sexual Violence Against Children at Sanggar Mindulahin Jambi. Community Development Journal , 5 (5).
UNICEF. (2024, July). Adolescent HIV prevention . Data.Unicef.Org. https://data.unicef.org/topic/hivaids/adolescents-young-people/ accessed 2 August 2024
Widiyastuti, D., & Nurcahyani, L. (2019). The Influence of Parents' Greetings to Adolescents on Parents' Knowledge, Attitudes and Behaviors on Reproductive Health Education. Journal of Reproductive Health , 6 (3), 93. https://doi.org/10.22146/jkr.45496
Widman, L., Golin, C.E., Kamke, K., Burnette, J.L., & Prinstein, M.J. (2018). Sexual Assertiveness Skills and Sexual Decision-Making in Adolescent Girls: Randomized Controlled Trial of an Online Program. American Journal of Public Health , 108 (1), 96–102. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2017.304106
Wirsiy, F.S., Atuhaire, C., Ngonzi, J., & Cumber, S.N. (2022). A randomized controlled trial on mobile phone text messaging to improve sexo-reproductive health among adolescent girls in Cameroon. Contraception and Reproductive Medicine , 7 (1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40834-022-00180-1
Wong, C.A., Madanay, F., Ozer, E.M., Harris, S.K., Moore, M., Master, S.O., Moreno, M., & Weitzman, E.R. (2020). Digital Health Technology to Enhance Adolescent and Young Adult Clinical Preventive Services: Affordances and Challenges. Journal of Adolescent Health , 67 (2), S24–S33. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JADOHEALTH.2019.10.018.
Copyright (c) 2025 Indonesian Journal of Global Health Research
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
