What does MCAPP mean in PREVENTION

MCAPP stands for Mobile Criteria for Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention. It is a comprehensive health intervention program that utilizes mobile technology to reduce risks associated with teenage and unplanned pregnancies in developing countries.

MCAPP works by providing access to comprehensive reproductive health services delivered via mobile phone applications, SMS messaging platforms and other digital channels. The program also promotes behavior change through evidence-based sexuality education, contraceptive advice and counseling, tele-mentoring services, referrals to family planning centers, among others.

MCAPP is implemented by The Mosaic Project, an international non-profit organization dedicated to promoting reproductive health information and services in underserved communities worldwide.

Through its mobile technology platform, MCAPP has had considerable success in lowering the incidence of teenage pregnancies by providing access to reliable information on sexual health topics such as contraception choices and healthy relationships; tele-mentoring services; referrals; access to remote healthcare providers; among others. In addition, it has helped young people become informed about their sexual and reproductive rights in order to make responsible decisions regarding their sexual lives.

One of the major challenges faced while implementing this project was low mobile personal ownership amongst many target adolescents living in rural communities in sub-Saharan Africa where there were limited opportunities for Internet access or other digital technology tools available through which information could be shared or obtained. A further challenge is scalability of effective delivery systems across different contexts where cultural sensitivities must be taken into account when designing interventions for maximum impact on outcomes.