Creating a smartphone app to educate African immigrant women about contraceptive use
Official title: Developing and Testing a Smart Phone Based Contraceptive Use Educational Intervention for African Immigrant Women with Low Literacy
Funded at State University of New York at Buffalo · NIH-10890893 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is creating a helpful smartphone app for African immigrant women with low literacy to provide easy-to-understand information about birth control and family planning, so they can make informed choices about their health and avoid unplanned pregnancies.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | State University of New York at Buffalo NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Amherst, United States) |
| Project start | July 19, 2023 |
| Project end | October 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $187,557 |
| NIH project number | 5R21MD017648-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10890893 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are African immigrant women with low literacy who are seeking information about contraceptive options.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not African immigrant women or those who have high literacy levels may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to develop and test a smartphone-based educational intervention specifically designed for African immigrant women with low literacy. The project focuses on addressing the challenges these women face regarding contraceptive use and family planning, which can lead to unplanned pregnancies and associated health risks. By utilizing a mobile application, the research seeks to provide accessible information and resources that empower women to make informed decisions about their reproductive health. The intervention will be tailored to the unique cultural and social contexts of the target population, ensuring relevance and effectiveness.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce unplanned pregnancies among African immigrant women, improving maternal and child health outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in using mobile applications for health education, particularly in underserved populations, indicating a promising approach for this intervention.
Where this research is happening
-
State University of New York at Buffalo
Amherst, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Agbemenu, Kafuli — State University of New York at Buffalo
- Study coordinator: Agbemenu, Kafuli
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.