Media literacy and sexual and reproductive rights

Hello, dear listeners! Welcome to our program and thank you for tuning in. Today, our program today is about media literacy and Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR). We’ll use the case of a young woman to help us understand this issue.

First, we’ll chat with Ms. Ange Noa, a University of Abidjan-Cocody student and survivor of misinformation. She will tell us how misinformation has adversely affected her sexual and reproductive health. Next, we’ll discuss NGO initiatives to combat polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) with Ms. Vanessa Bamoli, engineer and president of the Association de Soutien aux Personnes Vivant avec le Syndrome des Ovaires Polycystiques (SOPK). She will share her experience and in particular her efforts to support women affected by PCOS.

Finally, media expert Kebe Mamady will discuss the importance of verifying information and strategies for limiting the harmful effects of misinformation. He will also share practical tips for improving our media literacy, including how to verify sources and detect false information.

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Welcome, Mrs. Ange Noa. Thank you for accepting our invitation. You are a victim of misinformation. Tell us how you lived through this situation.

I suffered from menstrual dysfunction, which prevented me from getting pregnant. While living with my boyfriend, I became the subject of ridicule, even from my husband’s relatives, who called me a woman with a hot belly. The medication I was taking wasn’t having any effect. Despite diagnoses and analyses, we couldn’t find anything wrong. My boyfriend thought I was just wasting his money. Desperate, I searched online for information related to the symptoms I was experiencing, hoping to find an appropriate treatment that would cure me and make my darling happy. He desperately wanted to have a child. Instead of changing my life for the better, my research and this desire plunged me into deep distress. I was faced with a wall of incomprehension and loneliness. This ordeal severely affected my mental health, leaving me with a constant feeling of stress, anger and sadness. This drove me to seek more information online, hoping to find solutions to my problem and reclaim my life, as I no longer had the feeling of being a part of this world.

Thank you very much, Ms. Noa, for that moving testimony. You mentioned that you suffered from menstrual dysfunctions and that your online research unfortunately exacerbated the situation. Can you tell us about any specific menstrual symptoms or problems you have experienced? Especially during the period before and after you started looking for advice online.

Before I learned about PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) and sought advice online, my periods were very irregular. Sometimes I only had my period every 3 to 4 months, and it often came unpredictably with heavy bleeding. Before my period, I experienced mood swings, breast tenderness, bloating and persistent fatigue.

After seeking advice online, I tried various treatments, but the changes in my cycles were often temporary. Some of the medications I took to relieve my symptoms caused unwanted side effects, such as vomiting and malaise.

My experiences with PCOS have been complex, both before and after my online research. The lack of understanding of my symptoms, coupled with the negative effects of inappropriate treatments, significantly impacted my physical and mental health.

These symptoms have greatly impacted your life. It must have been extremely frustrating, especially given the uncertainty surrounding treatments. What kind of advice or treatments regarding your menstruation and PCOS have you found on the Internet, and what prompted you to try these solutions?

I found recommendations for specific diets, vitamin supplements like folic acid and inositol, physical exercise, and herbal remedies online. Some people also talked about using hormonal contraceptives to regulate their cycles.

I was prompted to try these solutions by my desire to regain balance in my menstrual cycle and to relieve my symptoms, which were significantly impacting my quality of life. The anxiety caused by my irregular periods and my search for quick answers led me to explore these options in the hope of improvement.

What noticeable changes have you observed in your health or in the regularity of your menstrual cycles since you started the treatments you found online?

I’ve seen some noticeable changes in my health after starting these treatments, but unfortunately they’ve mostly been negative. Initially, I thought that some online solutions could help me regulate my menstrual cycles. However, the treatments I tried caused unwanted side effects, such as extreme fatigue, frequent headaches and mood swings. I also experienced nausea and vomiting, which made my days increasingly difficult. Ultimately, instead of improving my situation, these changes significantly worsened my physical and mental health, leaving me disillusioned and concerned about my long-term well-being.

Feeling your health deteriorate while trying to improve it is really difficult. After experiencing these complications, did you consult a health professional?

After I noticed the negative effects of my self-treatment, I consulted a health professional. My doctor listened to me, ran some tests and recommended that I stop self-medicating. He suggested a suitable care plan that included a balanced diet low in refined sugars, regular exercise, and possibly hormonal contraceptives to regulate my cycles without exacerbating my symptoms. He also suggested that I keep a diary of my cycles and symptoms to monitor the progress of my treatment. Since then, I feel greater support and am more confident in managing my PCOS.

Looking back, what advice would you give to other young girls who might be considering medical treatments found online for menstrual problems or PCOS?

I would strongly advise them to be cautious when considering such treatments. Before starting any treatment, it’s important to trust your doctors. This may mean consulting several of them for guidance and recommendations. They can provide advice tailored to your specific situation based on scientific evidence. If you find advice online, always check the credibility of the sources. Avoid recommendations that seem too good to be true or lack a medical basis. Pay attention to how your body reacts to treatments. If a treatment causes undesirable side effects, talk to a healthcare professional. Taking drugs or supplements without medical advice can worsen the situation and further disrupt your health.

Thank you, Mrs. Ange Noa, for your testimony. When it comes to healthcare, you should always consult a healthcare professional, even if a treatment is recommended online.

JINGLE

Now, let’s talk about PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) with Ms. Bamoli Vanessa, an engineer and president of an association for people with PCOS, whom we are delighted to welcome. Welcome and thank you for joining us. As someone who works on sexual and reproductive health issues, how would you define PCOS?

PCOS is a common hormonal disorder in women of childbearing age. The main symptoms are hormonal imbalances. Women with PCOS often produce excessive levels of androgens, which are male hormones. This can lead to a variety of symptoms. The ovaries may be enlarged and contain numerous small cysts (undeveloped follicles), which can be detected via ultrasound. Women with PCOS may experience irregular or absent menstrual cycles, which can affect fertility.

What are the most common forms of misinformation in this field, and how do they impact young people’s health?

Misinformation about menstruation and fertility is common. Many women wrongly believe that an irregular or absent cycle necessarily prevents pregnancy. They often seek help late in the process of trying to conceive, but can’t. This is when PCOS is sometimes diagnosed. The symptoms of PCOS, such as irregular cycles or excessive hair growth, are often downplayed. Without reliable information, some women turn to social media for “miracle cures”, where fake treatments are presented as PCOS solutions. This delays diagnosis and compromises appropriate treatment.

Faced with this situation of misinformation, how does your association combat it and provide the public with reliable information?

ONG Solidaire Contre le SOPK is an organization dedicated to raising awareness of and fighting polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Founded by a group of women and healthcare professionals, our mission is to change the perception and treatment of PCOS by offering a support platform to those affected to prevent medical wandering and optimize their care. We run many educational campaigns, especially on social media and in person. We’ve also run workshops on topics such as endocrine disruptors, fertility and sexuality in PCOS. We also provide support for psychological issues and dosage concerns. Through teleconsultations, we ensure that people receive the correct information, even if they are not physically present.

Do you have any concrete examples of how misinformation has led to serious consequences for the individuals or communities you work with?

Several young women have contacted us after finding information on social media about the PCOS treatment, which is generally symptomatic. Thinking they were doing the right thing, they started treating themselves at home, without consulting a specialist. As a result, they developed other health problems beyond their usual symptoms. Due to this misinformation, they had to wait a long time for an accurate diagnosis.

For instance, one woman who wanted to have children encountered many obstacles before finally receiving a PCOS diagnosis. She had no access to reliable information, which delayed her treatment.

What do you recommend young people do to identify reliable sources of information and avoid misinformation on sexual issues?

Many websites, including ours, offer reliable information on PCOS. These sites are supported by the WHO and start-ups like La Ruche Health, which has developed a chatbot called Kiko. One must be cautious of uncertified miracle remedies because what works for one person may not be suitable for another. Misinformation is rampant on social media. We encourage women to join our NGO, Solidaire Contre le SOPK, to receive personalized support and care. Follow us on social media for more information.

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Thank you Mrs. Bamoli Vanessa. We must always consult a healthcare professional when we come across healthcare proposals on the Internet or on public transport.

Mr. Kebe Mamady is a media expert. We’ll talk with him about the impact of digital media on the spread of misinformation about SRHR (Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights), especially among young people. Welcome; Mr. Kebe, and thank you for accepting our invitation. As a media expert, how would you assess this impact?

Digital media, especially social media, play a major role in the rapid spread of information and misinformation about SRHR (Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights) and reproductive rights. The anonymity and accessibility of these platforms often encourage the dissemination of erroneous information, which goes viral much faster than verified content. Then there are the algorithms that capture attention-grabbing and can amplify misinformation, especially when it arouses strong emotions, such as fear, outrage and curiosity.

Young people who often seek answers to their questions online may come across unverified or biased information. This can contribute to a misunderstanding of sexual and reproductive health issues.

What are the most common mistakes individuals make when consuming sexual health information online?

: They make many mistakes, but we’ll mention a few. First, there is a lack of verification of information. Many individuals accept information as true without checking its reliability or origin. There’s also the confusion between opinions and scientific facts. Personal references shared on social media are often perceived as general truths. People also excessively depend on social media. Instead of referring to socialized institutions such as the WHO, their country’s Ministry of Health, NGOs or experts, individuals consume TikTok, YouTube or Facebook content. Another mistake is confirmation bias, when an individual seeks out information that validates his or her pre-existing beliefs, rather than confronting several sources and points of view in order to make up his or her own mind.

Misinformation and conspiracy theories also influence people. For example, certain myths, such as the exaggerated dangers of contraception or intrauterine devices, as well as misconceptions about the WHO framework, persist because of widely shared misleading information.

What advice would you give to young people to help them develop a critical approach to media content and distinguish between misinformation and reliable information?

As an expert in misinformation, I advise young people to always check the source of information and give preference to official sites, health experts, or recognized organizations. Compare several credible sources and analyze the author’s reliability. Avoid following influencers with no scientific expertise. Beware of emotional or sensationalist content, which is often exaggerated. It’s also important to use fact-checking platforms such as Ivoire Check and Africa Check to obtain reliable information. Finally, adopt a skeptical approach and never share information without verifying it first.

Mr. Kebe Mamadi, how can media professionals improve their coverage of sexual and reproductive health issues to counteract misinformation?

The first thing we need to do is train journalists and reinforce their knowledge of SRHR to avoid the spread of erroneous information. We should include the opinions of doctors, experts and specialists in our articles and reports. We should also create engaging and practical content, such as photos, videos, infographics and podcasts adapted to the audience.

Fighting misinformation means actively defining, verifying and correcting the information that circulates. As I said earlier, we must avoid sensationalism and present information in a factual and honest manner to avoid falling into the trap of disinformation.

When working on a topic such as youth SRHR, collaborate with a variety of platforms. Consulting several platforms provides a broader view of the topic’s relevance and veracity.

Do you think social media can be used proactively to educate the public about sexual and reproductive rights?

: Social media can be a powerful tool for educating people about sexual and reproductive health. We’ll stick to a few points, including creating attention-grabbing content such as short videos, infographics, polls, and testimonials. Also, consider collaborating with “positive” influencers. By “positive,” I mean influencers who have built credibility on the subject and are known for providing information from verified sources.

Today, it’s easy to organize immersive sessions, live broadcasts and webinars with healthcare professionals, who can provide answers to questions that young people are asking. Another way to combat misinformation is to use reporting tools such as those offered by Facebook and X (formerly Twitter). Additionally, we can encourage young people to participate by creating challenges, hashtags and debates designed to promote credible information.

Dear listeners, thank you for tuning in. Special thanks to all our guests. Remember that using social media properly is essential to avoid misinformation and disinformation and protect ourselves from their impact.

Furthermore, we must be aware that not everything on social media is true. We should go to health centers or awareness sessions to get proper information.

This program was produced with contributions from Ms Ange Noa, a student at the University of Abidjan-Cocody, who has been the victim of misinformation, Ms Bamoli Vanessa, an engineer and president of an association for people living with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and Mr. Kebe Mamady, a media expert. Thank you again for your contributions.

To our loyal listeners, we look forward to talking to you next time. Until then, take care.