Comprehensive Summary
This paper by Brennan outlines the potential of chatbots to improve sexual and reproductive health (SRH) by expanding access, reducing stigma, and empowering patients. Chatbots—ranging from rule-based systems to advanced AI platforms - are increasingly used in education, counseling, triage, and follow-up. Examples include Roo (Planned Parenthood), Layla’s Got You, and India’s SnehAI, which provide confidential and culturally responsive counseling for contraception, STIs, puberty, and reproductive decision-making. Chatbots can deliver evidence-based information, assist in decision-making, and free up provider time by handling routine queries. They are especially valuable for individuals in underserved or rural areas who face barriers to care. Limitations include reduced empathy compared to human providers, risk of misinformation, lack of crisis management capabilities, privacy concerns, and unequal access to digital technologies.
Outcomes and Implications
Chatbots can be used as SRH care complements for improving knowledge, access, and treatment compliance such as the utilization of contraceptives or postpartum. They are only effective if there is equitable design, culturalization, and inter-gravity with existing healthcare systems. Security and trust can be achieved by prioritizing rigorous testing, anonymous users, and crisis escalation procedures. Brennan sums up that thoughtfully designed artificial intelligence-based chatbots can make reproductive health care universally accessible and reduce inequalities if done with accountability, inclusiveness, and strict oversight. They are unable to replace human service providers but can serve as effective tools for public health to enable SRH education and equip the users with reliable, timely, and confidential information.