Objective

The Adolescent/Youth Reproductive Mobile Access and Delivery Initiative for Love and Life Outcomes (ARMADILLO) study assessed the effect of an intervention providing SRH information to young people via text message on their mobile phones in Kenya and Peru. It entailed an open, individually randomized, three-arm trial lasting seven weeks to assess the effect of the ARMADILLO intervention on dispelling myths and misconceptions related to contraception. A secondary objective was to determine whether youth given access to SRH information via text message could accurately retain that information

The ARMADILLO Approach:

Stage 1: Formative Research to inform youth on SRH services via text messages

Stage 2: Effect of ARMADILLO on knowledge for action, attitudes, and self-efficacy using quantitative and qualitative methods

Stage 3: Coverage Study to determine the effectiveness of the program.

Impact

Notable Impact of ARMADILLO: Stage 1 of the ARMADILLO study established that mobile phones are currently part of young people’s lives and reinforced the fact that SRH messages delivered via text messages from a trusted source will most likely be acceptable to young people owing to its confidential nature.

Scope: Kilifi and Mombasa Counties