Designathons: Innovating Youth-Friendly Health Services
In the ever-evolving landscape of health services, the need to tailor solutions that cater specifically to youth is more pressing than ever. A recent study titled Tailoring youth-friendly health services in Nigeria: a mixed-methods analysis of a designathon approach sheds light on an innovative method to engage young people in creating health services that truly meet their needs. This blog post explores the key findings of this research and discusses how practitioners can leverage these insights to enhance their service delivery.
Understanding the Designathon Approach
A designathon is a time-bound, collaborative event where participants work in teams to develop solutions to specific problems. This approach, rooted in crowdsourcing and human-centered design principles, was used in Nigeria to create youth-friendly health services, particularly focusing on HIV testing and prevention. The event engaged 976 youth across Nigeria, with 48 participants forming 13 teams to develop innovative strategies for improving health service delivery.
Key Findings and Strategies
The study highlighted several successful strategies proposed by the designathon teams:
- Mobile Health Technologies: The top-ranked team developed a mobile-friendly web application to facilitate access to sexual and reproductive health services. The app allows youth to order HIV self-test kits and connects them with health providers using Internet-of-Things technology.
- Community-Based Models: Another team proposed the use of mobile and stationary tents to deliver health services directly within communities, making them more accessible to youth.
- Peer Support Services: The third-ranked team emphasized the importance of peer support in promoting health services. They proposed using trained peer counselors to encourage the use of health kits and linkage to care.
Implications for Practitioners
For practitioners, the designathon approach offers a blueprint for engaging youth in the co-creation of health services. By involving young people in the design process, practitioners can ensure that services are not only accessible but also appealing and relevant to the target demographic. Here are some actionable steps practitioners can take:
- Adopt Participatory Approaches: Engage youth in the design and implementation of health services to ensure they meet the needs of the target audience.
- Leverage Technology: Utilize mobile applications and other digital tools to increase accessibility and engagement among youth.
- Foster Community Partnerships: Collaborate with schools, community centers, and other local organizations to expand the reach and impact of health services.
Encouraging Further Research
While the designathon approach shows promise, further research is needed to evaluate the long-term impact and sustainability of the proposed solutions. Practitioners are encouraged to explore this innovative method and consider how it can be adapted to their specific contexts. By doing so, they can contribute to the growing body of evidence supporting participatory approaches in health service design.
To read the original research paper, please follow this link: Tailoring youth-friendly health services in Nigeria: a mixed-methods analysis of a designathon approach.
