From Taboo to Touchscreen: Understanding Mukhorito’s Role in Bangladeshi Adolescent SRH
Adolescence is a critical window for sexual and reproductive health (SRH) education, yet many Bangladeshi youths face cultural barriers, limited services, and privacy concerns when seeking reliable information. A qualitative study explored Mukhorito, an Android-based app designed to foster peer-driven learning and open dialogue about SRH topics within secondary schools. The goal is clear: expand government-led SRH education with a mobile platform that prioritizes safety, accessibility, and cultural sensitivity.
What Mukhorito Seeks to Do
Mukhorito is built to complement the GoB’s school-based adolescent health program by leveraging the high smartphone penetration among Bangladeshi youth. The app organizes content into eight domains—ranging from adolescent physical changes and nutrition to gender discrimination, child marriage, and safe motherhood—paired with flashcards, posters, and narrative stories to improve knowledge retention. A key feature is a school-based chat room for anonymous peer-to-peer discussions, plus links to national helplines and health facilities.
Interactive Learning and Peer Leadership
Participants highlighted how the structured, self-paced modules and online sessions enhanced engagement and leadership skills. Peer leaders facilitated discussions and activities, creating a participatory learning environment that diverged from traditional lecture formats. Students reported that stories following each topic made SRH content relatable, helping to translate information into everyday decisions.
Positive Impacts Observed
The qualitative study found several benefits from using Mukhorito in three Bangladeshi secondary schools. Students described increased awareness of menstrual health, nutrition during adolescence, and the realities of reproductive health and motherhood. Teachers and GoB officials noted shifts in attitude, with fewer instances of embarrassment during SRH topics and more willingness to discuss sensitive issues openly. The app’s chat feature helped reduce social stigma by offering a private space for questions and peer support.
Opportunities for Community-Level Change
Beyond individual knowledge gains, respondents described a ripple effect: adolescents could relay information to siblings and family members, contributing to broader health literacy in rural communities. The intervention also fostered a sense of responsibility among youths to lead conversations and support one another, a key driver for sustainable change in settings where taboos prevail.
<h2Challenges to Scale and Sustain
Despite its promise, the Mukhorito pilot faced significant barriers. Limited access to personal smartphones, shared devices, and inconsistent internet connectivity hindered participation. Financial constraints for data usage and power outages further constrained use, especially in rural areas. Stakeholders suggested offline functionalities, integration with the national curriculum, and closer alignment with government programs to broaden reach and ensure long-term sustainability.
<h2 actionable insights for policy and practice
Experts proposed several concrete steps to strengthen Mukhorito’s impact: introduce the app from sixth grade onward to normalize SRH education early; integrate visually engaging content such as short dramas or animations to boost retention; develop offline modes so learning doesn’t hinge on continuous connectivity; and scale through formal adoption within the GoB’s adolescent health strategy. Collaboration with government initiatives could harmonize messages, resources, and referral pathways to maximize adolescent health outcomes.
Conclusion: Towards a Scalable, Youth-Centered SRH Solution
The Mukhorito study demonstrates that a well-designed digital platform can supplement traditional SRH education by enabling peer dialogue, reducing stigma, and promoting leadership among Bangladeshi adolescents. Realizing the full potential of Mukhorito will require addressing digital divides, ensuring offline access, and fostering government-community collaboration. When scaled thoughtfully, this model could advance adolescent SRH literacy and service uptake across LMICs with similar cultural and infrastructural landscapes.
