Ministry’s app provides health advice, services
IN ORDER to provide information to those who are curious about sexual, reproductive and mental health issues, Child Helpline Cambodia has launched a mobile app to supplement an education programme and the 1280 Helpline it currently runs.
The Youth Health app was initiated by the National Youth Development Council of Cambodia and the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport. The joint project will be run by the helpline and Kawsang Co Ltd, and is co-financed by the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Japanese government.
The mobile app, launched in late November, focuses on information about sexual and reproductive health and rights, comprehensive sexuality education, gender, mental health and psychosocial support.
“We created the app to help young people find out about mental health services, sexual health services and reproductive services,” said Seang Sok Thai, executive director of Child Helpline Cambodia.
“Young people want to understand how their bodies are changing, what sex is, how menstruation works, contraceptive methods and what services are available if they fall pregnant,” he added.
The organisation’s call centre provided information to 5,633 callers in 2021, but the app would allow young people to find out the information they needed without having to speak to anyone.
Once installed, the app will allow them to read numerous articles, even if offline. The app also features an audio function, so illiterate people can listen to articles.
Sok Thai added that the app was an important tool, as many young people appear to have limited knowledge of reproductive health, reproductive rights and safe sex, which can lead to unplanned pregnancies.
Reproductive health is included in the secondary school biology curriculum from 7th grade on, according to a former high school student.
Phin Phearum, who is currently in her second year of university, said: “When the teacher explained how hormones worked and what changes took place during puberty, many students were embarrassed.”
She said biology classes taught students many things about reproductive health, but said the app would be a useful as it would provide more detailed information, including specialist clinic search services.
Sok Thai said that in the coming years, the app will be linked to government institutions.
He acknowledged that discussion of reproductive issues remained a sensitive topic in Cambodian society, which could affect the culture and did not provide comprehensive discussion of sexual issues.
He made it clear that the development of the app does not mean the organisation encourages young people to be sexually active, but aims to keep them as safe as possible.
“We do not encourage sex at a young age, and urge them to wait until they have reached the age of consent. If children do become active, it is important that they know how to protect themselves against infections or unplanned pregnancies, as these can have life changing consequences,” he told The Post.
With more than 5,000 downloads, the app is now available on the Android Playstore.