The social media offers plenty, but the youth should always seek Sexual and Reproductive Health information from authoritative, evidence-based sources to protect their health. BEATRICE LIGOMEKA of the Malawi Institute of Journalism writes
A few sentences on social media offered Racheal hope and assurance on the protection she needed to avoid an unwanted pregnancy.
The advice on the Social Media platform was straightforward: “Take an emergency contraceptive pill and remain protected from pregnancy for the next five days.”
The 22-year-old from Blantyre trusted what she read. Contrary to her expectation, she later became pregnant. Today, as she raises her child she wonders whether seeking advice from a healthcare professional might have made a difference.
Her experience raises questions about the information young people in Malawi encounter online particularly as they contend with stigma and fear of judgement when they decide to seek professional sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) services.
For many young people in Malawi, a phone offers a discreet way to ask questions they may struggle to ask in a consultation room. But while information is readily available online, distinguishing reliable medical advice from misleading claims remains a challenge.
According to Patrick Jailosi a health care provider at Banja la Mtsogolo, young people regularly visit health facilities with questions about information they have encountered online.
JAILOSI - Young people should verify information
“Young people, particularly those aged between 18 and 24 come here every day to seek clarification about content circulating on platforms such as Facebook, TikTok, Instagram and Google,” he said.
Some information is accurate but other claims are misleading, incomplete or difficult to interpret without professional guidance.
Jailosi added that misconceptions about emergency contraception are among the issues he encounters as some young people believe emergency contraceptive pills cause infertility or cancer while others think taking additional tablets will make them more effective.
“These beliefs can create confusion when young people must make decisions about their health especially when online posts present medical claims with confidence but little evidence,” he observed.
The World Health Organization (WHO) Factsheet on emergency contraception explains that emergency contraceptive pills can prevent pregnancy when used within five days of unprotected sex depending on the method. They are generally more effective when used sooner.
However, the five-day period refers to the time after unprotected sex during which certain emergency contraceptive methods can be used. It does not mean that taking a pill provides continuing protection against subsequent unprotected sex. WHO also states that emergency contraceptive pills prevent or delay ovulation they do not terminate an established pregnancy.
For young people relying on brief online posts missing such information leads to misunderstandings about how contraception works. Yet the appeal of online information goes beyond convenience. It also reflects the barriers some young people face when seeking professional advice.
Adolescent and Youth advocate Yewo Gondwe says fear of judgement and concerns about confidentiality discourage young people from approaching health facilities with questions about their sexual and reproductive health.
“Some fear being judged for seeking contraception while others worry that information about their consultations could reach their parents,” said Gondwe.
Social media can therefore provide a sense of privacy. However, Gondwe cautions that this privacy does not automatically make the information reliable particularly when people without relevant expertise share health advice.
She argues that there is need to extend beyond young people to the individuals and institutions producing content stressing that health professionals, organisations and content creators need to ensure that the information they share is accurate and understandable.
Gondwe also believes young people should have a meaningful role in shaping the programmes designed to reach them.
“Let’s not just design things for them,” she says, emphasising that young people understand how they want to engage with information and which approaches are most likely to reach them.
She says engagement of young people goes beyond simply posting health messages online as information ought to be relevant to their experiences, accessible in language and connected to services where they can receive further guidance.
GONDWE- Health facilities should have welcoming environments
Gondwe says health facilities also have a role to play in addressing the problem by creating welcoming environments where young people can ask questions without feeling ashamed or judged.
“Seeking information should not be treated as wrongdoing and young people should be able to approach health workers before uncertainty develops into a more difficult situation. Digital platforms, when used responsibly can complement these services by helping organisations challenge misconceptions, explain contraception and direct young people towards qualified providers,” she said
In Malawi, digital initiatives are already being used to expand access to SRHR education. Such initiatives show the potential of technology to reach young audiences beyond traditional settings. Nevertheless, access to reliable information is not guaranteed for everyone. Limited internet connectivity, the cost of mobile data and unequal access to digital devices can leave some young people behind.
Even among those who are connected the challenge remains knowing which information deserves their trust.
For Racheal, the experience has left questions about the advice she encountered and whether professional guidance might have helped her make a different decision. Her experience alone does not establish that online misinformation caused her pregnancy but it underscores the importance of clear accurate information when young people are making decisions about their health.
Because when a health decision begins with a few words on a phone screen, the difference between information and misinformation can matter far beyond the screen itself.
When all is said and done, best SRH services go beyond scrolling. An interaction with a professional health worker makes the difference.