Improving Knowledge and Use of Sexual and Reproductive Health Services among Displaced Women: A Quasi-Experimental Study.

Ngwibete Atenchong, Paulesi
Olayinka Ogunbode, Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology; College of Medicine,University of Ibadan,Ibadan, Nigeria
Mangalu Mobhe Agbada, Université de Kinshasa
Akinyinka Omigbodun, Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology; College of Medicine,University of Ibadan,Ibadan, Nigeria

To respond to the changing needs of displaced persons, we assessed the feasibility of using community-based reproductive health personnel (CBRHP) and mHealth technology to improve knowledge and use of selected SRH issues among internally displaced women (IDW) in a 3-month intervention. Data from 158 women was collected with a structured questionnaire at baseline and using a mixed-methods approach post-intervention. SRH service knowledge significantly increased post-intervention, especially for cervical cancer services. Use of SRH services was four times more likely post-intervention, particularly among those with no educational attainment; however, only 48% of participants reported service use, and use of cervical cancer service reported 51-times increase in use. Qualitative analysis stressed integrating SRH interventions into daily activities, ensuring free and accessible services, and providing easily understood SRH knowledge for improvement. CBRHP could bridge knowledge gaps and promote SRH use among IDWs with lower educational attainment, particularly for services perceived as important but unavailable.