Entertainment For Health (EFH)

In Nigeria, as well as in various other regions, young girls and women face numerous challenges related to SRH, including limited access to information, stigma, and barriers to accessing services. Nigeria, with a population of over 200 million, has a substantial youth demographic, and many young women lack proper SRH education, leading to unintended pregnancies, STIs, and maternal health issues.

Nigeria has one of the highest teenage pregnancy rates in the world, with about 23% of girls aged 15-19 already mothers or pregnant with their first child (UNICEF).  Nigeria accounts for a significant portion of global maternal mortality cases, with approximately 58,000 maternal deaths in 2018. Maternal mortality is often linked to early pregnancies and inadequate access to healthcare (World Bank) and Nigeria has a high prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV/AIDS. Among adults aged 15-49, the HIV prevalence rate is 1.4% (UNAIDS).   Only about 35% of Nigerian girls and women aged 15-49 have comprehensive knowledge of HIV prevention and transmission. This highlights the need for improved SRH education (UNAIDS), Contraceptive prevalence among Nigerian women aged 15-49 is relatively low, with only 15% using a modern method. This contributes to unintended pregnancies (UNFPA). 

Key Factors Contributing to the Problem: 

Lack of comprehensive SRH education. 

Cultural taboos and stigma around discussing SRH topics.

Limited access to affordable healthcare services.

Insufficient awareness of available services.

High rates of teenage pregnancies and STIs.

Thee specific problem we are addressing is the lack of comprehensive sexual and reproductive health (SRH) education and access to services for young women in Nigeria. This issue is prevalent not only in Nigeria but also in many other communities globally. 

Our solution is "Entertainment for Health," an app and website designed to empower young girls and women in Nigeria with essential knowledge about sexual and reproductive health (SRH) through an engaging and interactive platform.

What It Is:

 Entertainment for Health is a digital platform that combines movie reviews, health education modules, and rewards to create a unique and enjoyable experience for users.

What It Does:

Users can read movie reviews, watch trailers, and engage with entertainment content while seamlessly accessing curated SRH education modules.

After every third activity (e.g., reading a review or watching a trailer), users are prompted to complete a module from our year-long health education syllabus.

A survey is offered at the end of each module to assess knowledge retention.

Users earn coins for their participation, and these coins can be used to unlock more entertainment content.

Upon completing the Viral STI modules, users may receive a free screening voucher for the STI of concern, with the app suggesting the nearest testing facility based on their registration data.

How It Works:

Users download the app or access the website.

They engage with movie-related content and complete SRH modules at their own pace. 

The app uses gamification elements to reward users for learning, encouraging them to explore more modules. 

Users who complete specific modules related to STIs can receive free screening vouchers.

 The app ensures privacy and data security for users.

Technology Used: 

The platform leverages web and mobile technologies to provide a seamless user experience.

- Data analytics and user profiles are used to tailor recommendations and offer the nearest testing facilities.

- The app may incorporate survey and assessment tools to evaluate knowledge retention.

Our solution leverages the appeal of entertainment, movie reviews, and rewards to address these challenges by delivering accessible and engaging SRH education to empower young women, helping them make informed choices and access vital healthcare services. By providing valuable information, incentives, and free screening opportunities, we aim to mitigate the problems associated with SRH and contribute to better health outcomes for young women.

Our solution, "Entertainment for Health," primarily serves young girls and women in Nigeria, particularly those in underserved communities and with limited access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health (SRH) education and services. Here's how our solution impacts their lives:

Target Population:

Young girls and women in Nigeria, aged 15 - 35 are often disproportionately affected by SRH challenges, including teenage pregnancies, STIs, and limited access to healthcare.

Ways in Which They are Underserved:

 Limited Access to Information: Many young women lack access to accurate and comprehensive SRH information, contributing to unintended pregnancies and health risks.

Stigma and Cultural Barriers: Cultural taboos and stigmatization often deter open discussions about SRH issues, making it challenging for young women to seek help or information.

Lack of Access to Services: Limited access to affordable and youth-friendly healthcare services results in unmet SRH needs.

How the Solution Addresses Their Needs:

Empowering Education: The solution provides accessible and engaging SRH education, breaking down barriers to knowledge acquisition.

 Confidentiality and Privacy: Users can access information privately, reducing the fear of judgment or stigma.

Incentives for Learning: The reward system encourages users to actively engage with the platform and continue their education.

Encouraging Action: Free screening vouchers motivate users to take proactive steps for their SRH.

The solution directly impacts the lives of young girls and women in Nigeria by equipping them with the knowledge, tools, and incentives to make informed decisions about their sexual and reproductive health. Providing education and encouraging action, helps improve their overall well-being and reduces the risks associated with SRH issues in their communities.

Our team's strength lies in its proximity to the communities we aim to serve and its commitment to community involvement and input.

 Our team is deeply rooted in the local community, with all members having grown up in Nigeria and personally experienced the challenges related to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) that young girls and women face. We have a team representative who intimately understands the cultural nuances, taboos, and societal pressures that often hinder open discussions about SRH in Nigeria.

We actively engage with the community through surveys, focus group discussions, and co-creation workshops. These interactions provide valuable insights into the needs and preferences of the target population.

Entertainment for Health (EFH) team's strength lies in its deep connection to the community, cultural understanding, and active engagement with community members. We believe that by involving the community in the development process, we can ensure that "Entertainment for Health" is not only meaningful but also highly effective in addressing the unique SRH challenges faced by young girls and women in Nigeria.

Entertainment for Health" has transitioned from a mere concept to a prototype, demonstrating tangible progress toward becoming a fully operational solution. While the website and app have not yet launched, it's far more than an idea due to these key factors:

1. Advanced Development: Significant steps have been made in terms of development. The project has evolved beyond the initial idea phase, with substantial work completed in the areas of content creation, user interface design, and curriculum development. These tangible assets signify a prototype in the making.

2. Targeted Launch Date: "Entertainment for Health" is committed to launching the website and app in January. This clearly defined timeline underscores the project's readiness to bring the prototype to life, serving its intended audience.

3. Testing and Quality Assurance: The team has laid out plans for rigorous testing and quality assurance once the platform is accessible. This demonstrates a practical approach to refining the prototype, ensuring it meets high standards of functionality and user experience.

4. Community Engagement: The project has actively engaged with the community throughout its development journey. It has solicited feedback, conducted surveys, and hosted co-creation workshops to involve the target audience. This direct engagement with the community further solidifies the project's prototype status.

Entertainment for Health is innovative because it addresses SRH education in a new, engaging way, leveraging incentives, privacy, community involvement, and data-driven insights. It has the potential to inspire positive changes in how health education is delivered and can serve as a model for innovative approaches to other health-related challenges.

Entertainment for Health is innovative in several ways:

1. Convergence of Entertainment and Education:The solution uniquely combines entertainment, specifically movie reviews and trailers, with essential sexual and reproductive health (SRH) education. This innovative approach leverages the popularity of entertainment to engage and educate young girls and women effectively.

2. Incentivized Learning: By introducing a reward system that offers users incentives for learning, "Entertainment for Health" motivates users to actively engage with SRH content. This gamification approach makes SRH education not only informative but also enjoyable.

3. Privacy-Centric Design: The platform emphasizes user privacy and confidentiality, recognizing the sensitivity of SRH discussions. This approach sets it apart from traditional, less private educational methods.

4. Community Involvement: The platform actively engages the community in the development process, ensuring that it is tailored to the specific needs, values, and preferences of the target population. This community-driven approach is innovative and fosters trust and relevance.

5. Potential for Scaling Impact: Entertainment for Health has the potential to catalyze broader positive impacts by inspiring similar initiatives in other regions and for other health topics. The innovative blend of entertainment and education can change the way health education is approached, making it more engaging and accessible.

6. Tech Underpinning: The technology underpinning the solution involves web and mobile applications, data analytics, user profiles, and survey tools. These technologies enable the platform to provide a unique and engaging user experience while also collecting insights for iterative improvements

Goals 

Next Year Impact Goals (1-2 years):

1. Increased SRH Knowledge: Achieve a 25% increase in comprehensive SRH knowledge among young girls and women who actively use the platform.

2. User Engagement: Attract and maintain a user base of at least 10,000 active users within the first year.

3. Voucher Utilization: Aim for a 50% utilization rate of free screening vouchers for STIs among users who have completed the relevant modules.

Next Five Years Impact Goals (5 years):

1. Widespread Adoption: Reach and serve at least 50% of the target population of young girls and women in Nigeria, equivalent to approximately 5 million individuals.

2. Increased SRH Knowledge: Achieve a 80% increase in comprehensive SRH knowledge among young girls and women who actively use the platform

3. Behavioral Change: Target a 50% reduction in the teenage pregnancy rate among users of the platform, supported by data from healthcare facilities and government reports.

4. Community Empowerment: Measure a 70% increase in the willingness of users to openly discuss SRH issues, as reflected in user feedback and community surveys.

5. Replication and Collaboration: Collaborate with at least three other organizations and expand the initiative to one additional region within Nigeria, creating a model for innovative SRH education

Theory of change.  

The theory of change for Entertainment for Health is based on the premise that by offering engaging, user-centric sexual and reproductive health (SRH) education through an entertaining platform, we can drive behavioural change and improve the SRH outcomes of young girls and women in Nigeria.

Entertainment for Health impacts the problem by empowering young girls and women with knowledge and incentives to make informed choices about their sexual and reproductive health, reduce risky behaviours, and improve SRH outcomes. This theory of change is supported by our focus on user engagement, privacy, cultural relevance, incentives, and data-driven improvements.

How It Works:

1. Engagement through Entertainment:We provide users with a platform that blends their interest in movies and entertainment with SRH education. By offering movie reviews, trailers, and engaging content, we capture their attention.

2. Incentives for Learning: To motivate users to delve into SRH topics, we employ a reward system. Users earn coins for participating in educational modules. This gamification approach keeps users engaged.

3. Educational Modules: Our platform offers a year-long health education syllabus, tackling important SRH topics. After every third entertainment activity, users are prompted to complete a module, ensuring they gain knowledge over time.

4. Informed Choices: As users accumulate knowledge, they make more informed choices about their sexual and reproductive health. They are more likely to access services and practice safe behaviours.

5. Free Screening Vouchers: Users who complete specific modules receive free screening vouchers for STIs, with the app suggesting the nearest testing facility. This directly encourages users to take concrete actions for their health.

Why It Makes an Impact:

Engagement Drives Learning: By engaging users in a topic that may otherwise be perceived as dull or uncomfortable, we break down barriers to learning about SRH. This approach makes education more accessible and enjoyable.

Incentives Motivate Action: The reward system motivates users to actively seek knowledge and access services. Incentives create a behavioural shift toward better SRH choices.

Privacy and Empowerment: The platform respects user privacy, which is vital for discussing sensitive SRH issues. This leads to more open discussions and informed decision-making.

Community Involvement: By actively engaging the community in the development process, we ensure that our content is culturally relevant and resonates with the target population.

Data-Driven Improvement: Through data and user feedback, we continuously improve the platform, tailoring content and features to meet users' evolving needs.

Fulltime(Project Committee) -3

part-time (movie Reviewers) -5

Contractors (software engineers) - 5

6 months 

Entertainment for Health promotes diversity, equity, and inclusivity, fostering a more inclusive environment and better serving the communities they aim to empower.

Through our Core values,  Empathy,  Equity and human-centred design,  Entertainment For Health strives to uphold principles of diversity,  equity and inclusion by: 

Team Leadership Diversity :  

EFH team members are from different states across Nigeria, educational background,  language and socio-economic status. 

Equity:  Entertainment For Health was designed to provide equal access to our digital platform,  ensuring the privacy and confidentiality of our Users. 

The business model for "Entertainment for Health" encompasses both the delivery of social impact and revenue generation:

Products and Services:

Engaging Entertainment and Education: We provide a digital platform that combines engaging movie reviews, trailers, and a year-long health education syllabus on sexual and reproductive health (SRH).

Reward System: Users can earn coins for active participation, motivating them to learn and engage with the SRH content.

Free Screening Vouchers: Users who complete specific SRH modules receive free screening vouchers for STIs, with the app suggesting the nearest testing facility based on their registration data.

Customers and Beneficiaries:

Young Girls and Women: The primary beneficiaries are young girls and women in Nigeria who seek accessible and engaging SRH education. They benefit from improved knowledge and access to free screenings.

Healthcare Facilities: Partner healthcare facilities offering STI screenings benefit from increased foot traffic as users utilize the free screening vouchers.

How We Provide Value:

Impact: We provide value by empowering young girls and women with essential knowledge about SRH, reducing risky behaviors, and improving SRH outcomes. Users gain knowledge, access services, and make informed decisions for their health.

-Revenue Generation: Our revenue model includes

  Grants: Securing grants from organizations and institutions committed to improving SRH education.

  Advertisements: Generating revenue through advertisements on the platform.

  Fundraising: Seeking financial support through fundraising efforts, which can include donations and partnerships with like-minded organizations.

Why They Want or Need It:

Young Girls and Women: They need accessible and engaging SRH education that respects their privacy and cultural sensitivities. The reward system and free screening vouchers motivate them to actively seek knowledge and healthcare services.

Healthcare Facilities: Partnering facilities benefit from increased foot traffic, contributing to their revenue. They also support a community health initiative that aligns with their mission

The financial sustainability plan for "Entertainment for Health" involves a combination of revenue streams to cover expected expenses and support the project's ongoing work:

Grants and Donations:

Seek sustained grants from organizations, NGOs, and government agencies that are dedicated to improving sexual and reproductive health education.

Establish partnerships with donors who share the vision of promoting SRH education among young girls and women in Nigeria.

Advertising Revenue:

Generate income through strategically placed advertisements on the digital platform. Advertisers interested in reaching the target demographic can support the project while reaching their audience.

Fundraising Efforts:

Conduct fundraising campaigns to secure donations from individuals and philanthropic organizations. Fundraising efforts can include online crowdfunding, events, and partnerships with foundations.

Collaborations and Partnerships:

Collaborate with healthcare facilities, NGOs, and other relevant organizations to create partnerships. These partnerships can involve shared costs, resources, and support.