PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Davis, Sara L M
AU  - Pham, Trang
AU  - Kpodo, Irene
AU  - Imalingat, Tara
AU  - Muthui, Alex Kilonzo
AU  - Mjwana, Nomtika
AU  - Sandset, Tony
AU  - Ayeh, Elsie
AU  - Dong, Do Dang
AU  - Large, Kaitlin
AU  - Nininahazwe, Cedric
AU  - Wafula, Timothy
AU  - Were, Nerima
AU  - Podmore, Mike
AU  - Maleche, Allan
AU  - Caswell, Georgina
TI  - Digital health and human rights of young adults in Ghana, Kenya and Vietnam: a qualitative participatory action research study
AID  - 10.1136/bmjgh-2022-011254
DP  - 2023 May 01
TA  - BMJ Global Health
PG  - e011254
VI  - 8
IP  - 5
4099  - http://gh.bmj.com/content/8/5/e011254.short
4100  - http://gh.bmj.com/content/8/5/e011254.full
SO  - BMJ Global Health2023 May 01; 8
AB  - Introduction Digital health offers the potential to strengthen health systems in low- and middle-income countries. However, experts have warned about threats to human rights.Methods We used qualitative methods to investigate how young adults in Ghana, Kenya and Vietnam use their mobile phones to access online health information and peer support, and what they see as the effect on their human rights. We applied a transnational participatory action research approach. Global and national networks of people living with HIV, AIDS activists, young adults and human rights lawyers participated in study design, desk review, digital ethnography, focus group discussions, key informant interviews and qualitative analysis.Results We interviewed 174 young adults ages 18–30 in 24 focus groups in 7 cities in Ghana, Kenya and Vietnam, and held 36 key informant interviews with national and international stakeholders. Young adults reported predominantly using Google, social media and social chat groups for health information. They emphasised reliance on trusted peer networks, and the role of social media health champions. However, gender inequalities, class, education and geography create barriers to online access. Young adults also disclosed harms linked to seeking health information online. Some described anxiety about phone dependence and risk of surveillance. They called for a greater voice in digital governance.Conclusion National health officials should invest in young adults’ digital empowerment, and engage them in policy to address benefits and risks of digital health. Governments should cooperate to demand regulation of social media and web platforms to uphold the right to health.Data are available on reasonable request. Data will be made available by authors on reasonable request, contingent on approval by the national organisations responsible for the study in each country.