Background: Female university students in Ethiopia experience a high burden of sexual and reproductive health, nutrition, and psychosocial problems, exacerbated by limited access to essential health services and support. Mobile technology provides an opportunity to deliver accessible, evidence-based health interventions. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of a mobile technology-based intervention in improving SRH, nutrition, and psychosocial well-being among female university students in Ethiopia. Methods: A concurrent mixed-methods study will be conducted among first-year female university students. Baseline quantitative and qualitative assessments will identify needs, barriers, and facilitators. A randomized controlled trial will evaluate a comprehensive mobile health education intervention delivered monthly. Quantitative data will be analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics, while qualitative data will undergo thematic analysis. Expected Outcomes: Improved sexual and reproductive health, dietary practices, and psychosocial well-being among female university students. Duration and Budget: The project will be implemented over the proposed study period with a total budget of 1,208,564 Ethiopian birr.
This is a mobile technology based interventional study to improve sexual and reproductive health, nutrition, and psychosocial wellbeing of female university students.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
880
Behavioural change intervention will be provided through mobile application to improve sexual and reproductive health, nutrition, psychosocial, and appropriate digital use.The intervention packages or contents of the intervention will be developed based on the survey finding. Content of the intervention will include appropriate digital use, the basics of SRH, adolescent nutrition, psychosocial wellbeing, risk factors, and prevention measures. Nutrition messages will include nutrient requirements, the benefits of a healthy diet, the dietary habits of adolescents, the adverse consequences of junk food consumption, short- and long-term consequences of taking unhealthy diet. Possible solutions to improve dietary intake. A simple message about detailed description of the contents of the intervention will be delivered monthly through mobile technology for three consecutive years. Feedback will be collected from students after delivery of message to make sure whether students read or not.
Students in the control group will receive message provided through gender office.
Bahir Dar University
Bahir Dar, Amhara, Ethiopia
Dietary intake
Dietary intake will be the primary outcome and will be measured using food frequency questionnaire. Students who have a higher score for healthy foods will be considered as having appropriate dietary practice, otherwise not.
Time frame: Baseline assessment will be done from August 1-September 30, 2026 (8 weeks) and endline assessment will be done from April to May 2028 (8 weeks).
Sexual and reproductive health
Sexual and reproductive health will be the primary outcomes and will be assessed using questionnaires.
Time frame: Baseline assessment will be done from August 1-September 30, 2026 (8 weeks) and endline assessment will be done from April to May2028 (8 weeks) .
Psychosocial well-being
Psychosocial well-being will be the primary outcomes of this studyand will be assessed using questionnaires.
Time frame: Baseline assessment will be done from August 1-September 30, 2026 (8 weeks) and endline assessment will be done from April to May2028(8 weeks) .
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