Community research conducted by the Florence Foundation to assess the health needs of refugees and migrants in South Africa has contributed to the development of a multilingual cellphone questionnaire that uses web-based technology to enable instant, free, anonymous exchange and collation of information. The Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights Programme of the AIDS Foundation, in association with the Foundation Florence, Refugee Social Services, the Denis Hurley Centre and Refugee Pastoral Care, is using the tools in a project aimed at better understanding and responding to migrant sexual and reproductive health needs. The data gathered can be used to enhance delivery of information, services and support, as well as fundraising strategies and advocacy.  The process is helping to refine the tools for broader use in behaviour change communication and referral to services. The purpose of the seminar is to provide an overview of the project and invite discussion on the use of the technology.

 

Deborah Ewing is a writer and researcher with a focus on children’s rights, sexual and reproductive health rights, gender and marginalization. She has led national and international studies on these topics. Deborah is Advocacy Manager at the AIDS Foundation of South Africa, based in Durban.

Emma Goutte-Gattat is a French student in languages and member of the Aides Organization in France. She is based in Durban as an intern at the AIDS Foundation taking part in the questionnaire project.

 

Aron Hagos Tesfai is from Erytrea and is a member of the Florence Foundation as well as a social cohesion advocate. He is a PhD candidate at UKZN.