Effectiveness of Health Education for Teenagers in the Digital Era: A Review

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the efficacy of digital education programs in adolescent reproductive health. This study involved a narrative review that used sources from the databases of scientific journals (Elsevier, BMC, BMJ, SagePub, Taylor & Francis, and Scopus) for adolescents’ reproductive health, promotion, social media, health education, health reproduction, sexual health, digital era, cell phone, mHealth, mcare, eHealth, telemedicine, health services, adolescence, youth, young adults, and young adolescents. Of the 75 studies identified during the search, 21 were eligible for inclusion. Interventions regarding reproductive health for adolescents in the digital era are diverse and range from social media and healthcare applications to gaming models. Therefore, the success of a health intervention program depends strongly on government support. Some interventions involved in-depth preparations and included discussions with decision makers and relevant professionals. Others have pinpointed training to make most of the interactions with adolescents during reproductive health education. In a review of 21 studies, 90.4% showed an increase in knowledge, attitudes, or behavior toward providing reproductive health education to adolescents. Interventions in the digital era of adolescent reproductive health are diverse and range from social media and healthcare applications to gaming models. The range of interventions was diverse and wide as most studies in the literature presented very good quality and validated interventions. As information technology plays an integral role in the lives of adolescents, education that makes greater use of social media and gaming can be very effective.