SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH (SRHR) is often a very sensitive topic and is kept private even in very serious moments. Most people are not free to express their take about it in public in fear of being judged, even when their sexual and reproductive wellbeing is being threatened by diseases. They prefer talking to a few selected people close to them who might not include health professionals. So, promoting SRHR in such a society where people rarely talk about such sensitive issues is a challenge. Access to SRHR services is often hindered by such social norms in the society. I find that a person who cannot express their idea regarding SRHR is the same person who can’t manage to go to the nearest pharmacy and ask for a condom or an emergency contraceptive (Morning after pill). It takes them a lot of nerves to tell a healthcare professional that they are in need of those products. When talking to a healthcare professional, they want the conversation on their sexual or reproductive health to be one on one to ensure the information is kept confidential. In fear of being judged and harassed in the society, some send motorcyclists to ask for them those pills, others move miles away to get the product away from where the neighbors know them. The situation becomes serious when some of these products are better impactful when taken or used early, for instance emergency contraception which should be in 72 hours after sex. As such, the consequences could include a number of reproductive health problems, such as early or unwanted pregnancy, HIV/AIDS infections, unsafe abortion, and other STDs which account for a significant part of the burden of disease in both adolescents and adults from developing countries. Despite the gravity of these consequences, some people are not brave to ask for a sexual or reproductive health service. Even those who take the courage to walk into health facilities sometimes don’t feel free to share a lot with the healthcare professionals. They are often ashamed to speak even during one on one conversations with healthcare professionals, which could limit a clear and full patient history. However, with a health digital platform, the clients or patients can express themselves easily without fear or panic of speaking. The use of digital channels can greatly help improve sexual and reproductive health of the population. These channels can provide sexual and reproductive health services to people who otherwise would not feel comfortable talking about their sexual or reproductive health to a healthcare professional face to face. The digital channels or platform that is currently in use everywhere include but not limited to mobile phone messaging, social media, apps, voice, and video messaging. The use of digital channels in providing sexual and reproductive services can help reach large groups of people and improve their sexual and reproductive health among the population who would otherwise feel embarrassed going to the health facility. According to the statistics report of the second quarter of the year 2019 by RURA shows that the mobile penetration rate in Rwanda is 77.87% and the internet subscriptions per 100 inhabitants is 62.3%. These channels can work like never before in improving sexual and reproductive health than the traditional health system. Each year, around 74 million women living in low and middle-income countries suffer from unwanted pregnancy, and yet they can be prevented if emergency contraception or other family planning methods are adopted. Digital health channels equalize access to health information and services whereby people in rural areas can have exactly the same information as those in urban places. Digital channels exist as a way of supplementing the traditional healthcare system as well as maximizing access to healthcare services but without replacing the traditional means. Digital health channels are advantageous in a society where people are shy on issues like sexual and reproductive health. Traditional means may still work in many different contexts but digital platforms can achieve a much-needed improvement in health systems, and in this particular case, to greatly improve access to SRHR services in rural and urban settings. The writer is a pharmacist, public health enthusiast and a researcher. The views expressed in this article are of the author.
