Study Title :Co-Design and Implementation of a Digital Self-Care Intervention to Improve Sexual and Reproductive Health among Youth in Zimbabwe (CoDe Study)

Lead Investigator(s)

Dr Chido Dziva Chikwari, Moira Chido Majaha

Funder

National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Global Advanced Fellowship

Partner(s)

London Schol of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), Harare Institute of Technology (HIT)

Background

Young people in Zimbabwe continue to face significant barriers to accessing sexual and reproductive health services. These include inconvenient facility opening hours, lack of confidentiality, judgmental providers, and stigma in their communities. At the same time, sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, continue to affect young people disproportionately. CoDe was developed to respond to these challenges by exploring how self-care and simple digital tools can improve access to integrated, youth-friendly SRH services.

Study aim

CoDe aims to co-design, implement, and evaluate a digital self-care intervention to improve sexual and reproductive health service access for young people attending tertiary education institutions in Zimbabwe.

Study design

CoDe includes three work packages supported by a Youth Advisory Committee and a Multi-sectoral Stakeholder Working Advisory Group.

• The first work package focuses on co-design, with young people participating in workshops and a designathon to shape the intervention.

• The second work package focuses on piloting and implementation. Through a free USSD-based digital platform, young people will be able to order SRH products and services including HIV self-tests, STI screening, condoms, menstrual health products, and contraception. Orders will be collected from “grab and go” smart lockers using a one-time access code.

• The third work package is a mixed methods process evaluation using routine data, in-depth interviews, and focus group discussions with young people and stakeholders.

Study dates

2025–2029