TY - JOUR
T1 - Evaluating a mobile health intervention to increase COVID-19 prevention
T2 - engagement and learning outcomes among urban refugee youth in Kampala, Uganda
AU - Chen, Sikky Shiqi
AU - Admassu, Zerihun
AU - Logie, Carmen H.
AU - Mackenzie, Frannie
AU - Okumu, Moses
AU - Hakiza, Robert
AU - Katisi, Brenda
AU - Kibuuka Musoke, Daniel
AU - Nakitende, Aidah
AU - Bahri, Bay
AU - Kyambadde, Peter
N1 - This work was supported by the University of Toronto’s School of Cities Urban Challenge Grant, with additional support from Grand Challenges Canada, Canadian Institutes of Health Research, and the International Development Research Centre. Funders played no role in the study design. CHL is also supported by the Canada Research Chairs Program (Tier 2). We acknowledge all the peer navigators and participants, Dr Isha Berry who helped with data collection, and our collaborating agencies:Young African Refugees for Integral Development, Ugandan Ministry of Health, Office of the Prime Minister, Most At Risk Populations Initiative, and International Research Consortium (Kampala).
This work was supported by the University ofToronto’s School of Cities Urban Challenge Grant, with additional support from Grand Challenges Canada, Canadian Institutes of Health Research, and the International Development Research Centre. Funders played no role in the study design. CHL is also supported by the Canada Research Chairs Program (Tier 2).
PY - 2025/12
Y1 - 2025/12
N2 - Background: Displaced populations in resource-constrained settings require tailored COVID-19 prevention strategies, and mobile health (mHealth) emerges as a cost-effective approach. This study aimed to evaluate engagement and learning outcomes of the Kukaa Salama – Staying Safe – mHealth intervention for enhancing COVID-19 prevention practices among urban refugee youth. Method: This mixed-methods analysis used cross-sectional data from refugee youth aged 16–24 in Kampala, Uganda. Standardized questionnaires were used to collect mHealth engagement data and socio-demographic information. Participants shared learning experiences through responses to SMS check-ins and weekly informational messages. t-test, χ2, and Fisher’s exact tests were conducted to examine associations between mHealth engagement and socio-demographic factors. Inductive thematic analysis was employed to analyse qualitative responses related to learning experiences. Results: Among 346 participants (174 cisgender women, 166 cisgender men, 6 transgender individuals; mean age: 21.2, SD: 2.6), most reported using SMS services (84.8 per cent) while a lower proportion engaged in WhatsApp group chats (67.4 per cent). Participants who were older, born in Burundi and higher-educated were more likely to share in WhatsApp multimedia groups; those born in Burundi were also more likely to use SMS services. Four themes of learning outcomes emerged: COVID-19 self-protection strategies; awareness of the COVID-19 pandemic and relevant knowledge; significance of community and mutual support; self-efficacy and perseverance. Conclusions: Findings offer insights into characteristics of engagement and specific learning outcomes from the Kukaa Salama intervention. Future mHealth programmes can leverage community-based and age-sensitive approaches to enhance mental health support for young urban refugee.
AB - Background: Displaced populations in resource-constrained settings require tailored COVID-19 prevention strategies, and mobile health (mHealth) emerges as a cost-effective approach. This study aimed to evaluate engagement and learning outcomes of the Kukaa Salama – Staying Safe – mHealth intervention for enhancing COVID-19 prevention practices among urban refugee youth. Method: This mixed-methods analysis used cross-sectional data from refugee youth aged 16–24 in Kampala, Uganda. Standardized questionnaires were used to collect mHealth engagement data and socio-demographic information. Participants shared learning experiences through responses to SMS check-ins and weekly informational messages. t-test, χ2, and Fisher’s exact tests were conducted to examine associations between mHealth engagement and socio-demographic factors. Inductive thematic analysis was employed to analyse qualitative responses related to learning experiences. Results: Among 346 participants (174 cisgender women, 166 cisgender men, 6 transgender individuals; mean age: 21.2, SD: 2.6), most reported using SMS services (84.8 per cent) while a lower proportion engaged in WhatsApp group chats (67.4 per cent). Participants who were older, born in Burundi and higher-educated were more likely to share in WhatsApp multimedia groups; those born in Burundi were also more likely to use SMS services. Four themes of learning outcomes emerged: COVID-19 self-protection strategies; awareness of the COVID-19 pandemic and relevant knowledge; significance of community and mutual support; self-efficacy and perseverance. Conclusions: Findings offer insights into characteristics of engagement and specific learning outcomes from the Kukaa Salama intervention. Future mHealth programmes can leverage community-based and age-sensitive approaches to enhance mental health support for young urban refugee.
KW - global health
KW - humanitarian health
KW - mHealth intervention
KW - outcome evaluation
KW - refugee youth
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105026899566
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105026899566#tab=citedBy
U2 - 10.1332/27523349Y2025D000000052
DO - 10.1332/27523349Y2025D000000052
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:105026899566
SN - 2752-3349
VL - 4
SP - 439
EP - 451
JO - Global Social Challenges Journal
JF - Global Social Challenges Journal
IS - 2
ER -