Improving reproductive health access for Afghan and Syrian newcomers through digital resources
Official title: Reproductive Health Equity in Afghan and Syrian newcomers through digital health literacy
Funded at University of California-Irvine · NIH-10891555 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is all about helping Afghan and Syrian refugees in Sacramento understand reproductive health better by providing easy-to-access information in their languages and making sure it fits their cultural needs, so they can get the care they deserve.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California-Irvine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Irvine, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2022 |
| Project end | July 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $133,175 |
| NIH project number | 5G08LM014109-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10891555 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are Afghan and Syrian refugees, particularly women, who are navigating reproductive health issues in the U.S.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not part of the Afghan or Syrian refugee communities may not receive direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing reproductive health literacy among Afghan and Syrian refugees in Sacramento County, California. It aims to address barriers such as language difficulties, cultural differences, and lack of familiarity with the U.S. healthcare system that hinder access to reproductive health services. By creating a digital repository of multilingual resources and leveraging community partnerships, the project seeks to empower these communities with accurate information about reproductive health. The initiative will also involve outreach and education efforts to ensure that the information is accessible and culturally relevant.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve reproductive health outcomes for Afghan and Syrian newcomers by providing them with the necessary knowledge and resources.
How similar studies have gone: Similar initiatives have shown success in improving health literacy and access to care among refugee populations, indicating a promising approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California-Irvine
Irvine, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Thiel de Bocanegra, Heike — University of California-Irvine
- Study coordinator: Thiel de Bocanegra, Heike
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Endocrine disruptors and men's reproductive health: a home-based program to learn about chemicals and reduce exposures for men trying to conceive
A home-based program for men to learn about everyday chemical exposures and take steps to reduce them to support healthier semen quality.
-
AskDoki: a mobile chat bot to improve adolescent sexual health in Kenyan youth
A mobile AI chat bot, AskDoki, will provide on-demand sexual and reproductive health information to 15-year-olds in urban Kenyan communities, with support from trained youth peer leaders.
-
Male pesticide exposure and reproductive health through epigenetics
This project looks at how a man’s exposure to pesticides might affect his fertility and the health of his future children through changes in DNA.
-
Digital tool to reduce HIV-related stigma in Nepal HIV care centers
A user-friendly digital tool helps clinics measure and reduce stigma related to HIV, mental health, and other factors to improve care for people living with HIV.
-
New survey tools to improve participation and quality of sexual and reproductive health data
A patient-friendly project tests how new online survey features can help more people share accurate pregnancy and sexual health information.
-
How choosing PrEP products could improve HIV protection for young women in Kenya
This project looks at which HIV-prevention options young Kenyan women prefer and how choosing a product affects how well they stay protected.
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.