title: Myths and Misinformation: An Analysis of Text Messages Sent to a Sexual and Reproductive Health Q&A Service in Nigeria.
abstract: The almost 50 million young people aged 10-24 in Nigeria face many challenges to their sexual and reproductive health (SRH). MyQuestion is a platform that allows young people to ask SRH questions via text message. Trained counselors provide responses using a database of answers to frequently asked questions or customized replies. We analyze the content of more than 300,000 text messages received by the service since 2007 to address three questions: which health topics are most frequently submitted to the MyQuestion service; what kinds of questions are asked about these topics; and what language is used to convey the questions? We find a substantial unmet need for basic SRH information, with users' questions communicated in ways that convey considerable confusion, misinformation, and urgency. The analysis can be used to improve similar Q&A services and to improve the provision of SRH services for young people more generally.
authors.affiliation: Vice President and Program Director, Poverty, Gender, and Youth Program, Population Council, One Dag Hammarskjold Plaza, New York, NY 10017. ablanc@popcouncil.org.
authors.forename: Ann K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Blanc
authors.affiliation: Graduate Student, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI.
authors.forename: Kimberly
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Glazer
authors.affiliation: Programme Director, OneWorld UK, London.
authors.forename: Uju
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Ofomata-Aderemi
authors.affiliation: Executive Director, Education as a Vaccine (EVA), Abuja, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Fadekemi
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Akinfaderin-Agarau
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D003142:Communication; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods*; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009549:Nigeria; D060728:Reproductive Health; D034121:Reproductive Health Services; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D060145:Text Messaging; D055815:Young Adult