Healthy Teens

Name: Healthy Teens
Author: University of Illinois

University of Illinois

EVALUATED

Assessed for usability and quality

For:General Public & EnthusiastsKids & Youth

Free

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App Summary

Healthy Teens is an educational mobile app for teens and young adults that provides expert-written, evidence-based information on sexual and reproductive health to combat online misinformation. Initial usability testing with teens, parents, and clinicians (N=32) found the app to be valuable and engaging, with user feedback incorporated to improve its design and functionality. The authors conclude that a mobile app is a practical and well-accepted method for delivering sexual health education to promote wellness and reduce health risks in this population.

App Screenshots

Detailed Description

Functionality & Mechanism

Developed by the UIC College of Nursing, Healthy Teens delivers evidence-based sexual and reproductive health education to adolescents. The interface organizes content into six distinct modules covering anatomy, communication skills, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and contraception. An interactive module facilitates the identification of common myths versus facts. The system provides links to external resources and is designed to integrate a future confidential appointment scheduling function, providing a comprehensive educational and resource-navigation tool.

Evidence & Research Context

The app's design and scientific rationale are detailed in an associated research article describing its development to counter online health misinformation.
A preliminary evaluation (N=32) with adolescents, parents, educators, and clinicians assessed usability, readability, and content relevance.
The evaluation found high perceived value, with 100% of participants agreeing or strongly agreeing the app provides important sexual health information.
User feedback from the evaluation was incorporated to refine the app's interface, navigation, and visual design prior to its public release.

Intended Use & Scope

This application is designed as an educational tool for adolescents, young adults, parents, and health educators. Its primary utility is to provide accessible, evidence-based information to supplement formal health education and counter online misinformation. The tool does not provide clinical diagnosis or treatment and is not a substitute for professional medical consultation.

Studies & Publications

1 publication

Peer-reviewed research associated with this app.

Usability Study

An innovative mobile app for educating teens and young adults about reproductive health and wellness including sexually transmitted infections, pregnancy and contraception

Rosenberger et al. (2024) · Journal of Nursing Education and Practice

Users found the reproductive health education app valuable and engaging for teens and young adults.

Objective: The authors studied the use of a new mobile app technology platform to offer easy access to accurate, evidence-based comprehensive reproductive health information with links to resources for teens and young adults to enhance wellness and reduce the risks of HIV, other STIs, pregnancy, and complications such as infertility and pelvic inflammatory disease.Methods: The Healthy Teens Mobile App was designed, developed, tested, and implemented to deliver up-to-date sexual and reproductive health education based on science and written by experts. Initial testing was done for useability, readability and ease of navigation of the app.Results: Beta testing among teens, young adults, parents, health educators, and nurse clinicians (n = 32) revealed the app was valuable, engaging, and could be revised to improve flow and functionality. 60% strongly agreed and 40% agreed the app was valuable, with important information and resources on sexual health and wellbeing. 55% strongly agreed and 45% agreed the images improved the experience of using the app and the text size was adequate for readability. Other comments were utilized to enhance the app, add more images, and decrease the amount of white space on certain sections of the app. The app was released in June 2024 in both the Apple & Google App Stores.Conclusions: Utilizing a mobile app to delivery evidence-based sexual and reproductive health information for teens and young adults is practical and well accepted by teens, young adults, parents, health educators, and nurse clinicians. Plans are underway to disseminate the app widely. Future plans include translating the app into Spanish, French and other languages to promote global sexual and reproductive health and wellness and reduce the risks of HIV, other STIs, pregnancy, and complications such as infertility and pelvic inflammatory disease.

In the Media

$3 million to support reproductive health for teens

The UIC College of Nursing secured a $3.1 million federal grant to launch the ENRICH mobile health unit program, providing reproductive health services to underserved teens in rural and urban Illinois areas. "The ENRICH MHU will be a conduit to expand health care services beyond UIC's traditional urban and metropolitan service areas," said principal investigator Kelly Rosenberger. The four-year program will operate mobile units offering contraceptive management, STI screening, and pregnancy testing while training nursing students across UIC's six campuses.

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