Co-designing and co-developing health and wellbeing solutions with adolescents in Malawi

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Morse, Tracy and Chipeta, Effie (2026) Co-designing and co-developing health and wellbeing solutions with adolescents in Malawi. In: Everyday Collaborative Cultures Conference, 2026-03-04 - 2026-03-04, Technology and Innovation Centre.

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Abstract

This presentation will share experiences from an NIHR Global Health Research Group bringing together the University of Strathclyde, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, and Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences to co-create, test, and evaluate innovative approaches to adolescent health challenges. The project works with young people, family and community members, health workers, and policymakers across three key areas: water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH); sexual and reproductive health rights; and mental wellbeing. We will present examples of participatory methodologies that centre adolescent voices. For example, we used the COM-B behaviour change approach alongside methods such as PhotoVoice to co-develop hand hygiene interventions with students and teachers, conducting hands-on experiments testing soap types, dispensing methods, and behavioural nudges, followed by a Trial of Improved Practices gathering feedback on practicality, acceptability and sustainability. For mental wellbeing research, we employed the Scottish Storyline methodology, enabling young people aged 10-14 to express emotions through drawings, drama, and poems in safe, child-centred spaces. Our co-design workshops brought together in-school and out-of-school adolescents, teachers, parents, health workers, local leaders, and district coordinators, creating inclusive spaces where young people felt heard and valued. This participatory and experiential approach aims to deliver more child-centred outcomes than traditional research methods, with young people identifying themes and priorities that directly inform intervention design. Key lessons include the importance of adapting research tools culturally, ensuring ongoing consent, creating genuinely safe spaces, and recognizing that meaningful co-design requires sustained commitment beyond single consultations. This presentation will be valuable for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers seeking to authentically engage young people in designing solutions that affect their lives, particularly in low- and middle-income settings. Key takeaways include the importance of adapting research tools culturally, ensuring ongoing consent, creating genuinely safe spaces, and recognising that meaningful co-design requires sustained commitment beyond single consultations. We hope to emphasise the importance and value of co-creation for acceptable and feasible solutions, but also to highlight the challenges and commitment needed to make this a reality.

ORCID iDs

Morse, Tracy ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4185-9471 and Chipeta, Effie;
CORE (COnnecting REpositories)