Developing Culturally Tailored mHealth Tools to Address Sexual and Reproductive Health Outcomes Among Black and Latina Women: A Systematic Review

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Rasheeta Chandler, Emory University; Dominique Guillaume, Emory University; Andrea Parker, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta; Jessica Wells, Emory University; Natalie D Hernandez, Morehouse School of Medicine
• Language: English
• Date: 2022-07-01
• Publisher: Society for Public Health Education
• Publication Version: Author Accepted Manuscript (After Peer Review)
• Copyright Statement: Copyright © 2024 by Society for Public Health Education
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/15248399211002831
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Health Promotion Practice
• Volume: 23
• Issue: 4
• Start Page: 619
• End Page: 630
• Keywords: mHealth; Humans; Black women; Female; Telemedicine; Sexual Behavior; sexual and reproductive health; Latina women; Contraception; Cell Phone; mobile health; health disparities; Hispanic or Latino; Reproductive Health; Black People; Health Risk Behaviors
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Mental Health; Psychology, Behavioral; Health Sciences, Human Development

Abstract

Background: In addressing the sexual and reproductive health (SRH) disparities for Black and Latina women, there is a need for the development of innovative programs, framed using theoretical underpinnings that are culturally and contextually tailored so that they align with lived experiences. Mobile health (mHealth) interventions offer considerable potential as a means of providing effective SRH education and services. However, there has been a lack of research assessing culturally and contextually tailored mHealth SRH interventions for Black and Latina women. Method: A comprehensive literature search was undertaken using PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. Literature was reviewed to evaluate whether a culturally and contextually tailored approach was utilized in the development and implementation of mHealth interventions for Black and Latina women. Results: A total of 12 articles were included in our synthesis, which encompassed mobile phone–, telephone-, and computer-based mHealth interventions for Black and Latina women. Cultural and/or gender-specific tailoring was included in 10 studies. Reduction of risky sexual behaviors and increased contraception usage were reported in 92% (n = 11) of the studies. Interventions that incorporated tailored content and fostered interaction reported high rates of follow-up. Conclusions: Tailored mHealth interventions can be effective in promoting behavior change and improving SRH outcomes for Black and Latina women. However, there is a need for more research assessing user engagement and retention for Black and Latina women, and whether improvements in SRH outcomes are sustainable over the long term.