Myna Bolo: AI Health Solution

Myna Mahila Foundation

Myna Bolo: AI Health Solution

A WhatsApp-based chatbot that addresses women’s sexual and reproductive health concerns using generative AI providing timely information and guidance.

Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

India

Nonprofit

Over 35 million women in urban slums in India prioritize their family's needs over their own well-being. They face limited access to essential services, especially in sexual and reproductive health, where misinformation is prevalent due to societal taboos. This lack of access contributes to significant health issues, including excessive contraceptive use, unplanned pregnancies, and adolescent pregnancies. -In 2023, there were around 12.7 million births among girls aged 15-19, with nearly half a million births in the 10-14 age group, representing 10% of global births. -Misinformation about menstruation, like the myth that periods become regular after marriage, is spread through intergenerational beliefs and social media. Over 71% of girls are unaware of menstruation before their first period. -Access to antenatal care is significantly lower in urban slum areas; a study found that 74% of women in non-slum areas receive three or more antenatal check-ups, compared to only 55% in slums. -One-third of maternal deaths could be prevented with access to effective contraception for women who don't want to become pregnant. Key factors include unmet family planning needs, high adolescent birth rates, and unsafe abortions, resulting in about 47,000 yearly deaths from complications.

Myna Bolo is a support system for women, providing essential knowledge for informed decisions about sexual and reproductive health. Our platform empowers women to take charge of their health and bridges the knowledge gap, aiming to integrate with government and healthcare systems across India. Current LLMs overlook the unique needs of women, particularly marginalized groups, by failing to recognize local dialects and cultural nuances, which worsens the technology access gap. Our solution focuses on addressing these diverse needs. The solution focuses on four levels of intervention centred on user needs: 1. Language Support: Assistance is available in Hindi, Marathi, Minglish, Hinglish, and English, through both audio and text. Success is measured by the number of questions asked in each language and tracking call metrics. 2. Awareness Raising: Interactive notifications, quizzes, and videos help individuals recognize their support needs. Success is gauged through open rates and follow-up questions. 3. Preventative Care: Crisp, localized bot responses offer telehealth consultations, follow-ups, and personalized health monitoring. Key metrics include user engagement, appointment bookings, and call interactions. 4. Behaviour Action Tool: The content provides actionable insights, measured by the number of doctor appointments taken, lifestyle changes, and openness in discussing personal issues.

Myna Bolo is dedicated to being the one-stop digital support platform for women, providing a safe and trusted space that bridges the information gap necessary for informed decision-making. Our solution is specifically designed for women of reproductive age who either lack access to information or feel they do not have control over their bodies. Many women are often hesitant or afraid to discuss their sexual and reproductive health with partners or family members due to the stigma and taboos surrounding these topics. This is where Myna Bolo steps in. Through the Myna Bolo App, women can ask questions about a variety of subjects through our AI-powered chatbot, such as: "How do I communicate about intercourse with my partner?", "How should I handle premarital pregnancy?", or "I have a white discharge issue; what should I do?". Women can pose these questions in their local language and receive accurate support and information. Myna Bolo’s solution empowers women to take control of their health and, in turn, their lives, enabling them to make choices and build agency.