Manya Singh
UX Designer · Seattle, WA
Bloom
Health and Hygiene Guide
ORGANIZATION
Pre-Thesis, Srishti Institute of Art Design and Technology
ROLE
Researcher, UX Designer
Team
Solo project
Duration
4 Months ( September 21' - December 21')
Overview
Problem
In Indian society, the socialisation for young girls doesn't include talking about reproductive health at home and school which further abstains them to express themselves among their peers. This creates the stigma and hesitation around this topic which creates a gap in their knowledge. Bloom was designed to bridge that gap
Solution
A system that gives young adult women access to credible information, products and healthcare professionals. A reproductive health and hygiene guide which entails a monthly subscription kit and an app.
Problem
“Condoms promise safe sex, but the safest sex is through faithfulness to one’s partner.” - Harsh Vardhan ( Minister of Health and Family Welfare India 2019-2021)
For generations, talking about sex and women’s health in India has been looked at with a lens of judgment. This judgment is so ingrained in people’s minds that they fail to acknowledge the severity of practicing safe sex and proper hygiene methods.
The importance in India is given to concepts like virginity and it's ties to community and family honor.
The male-dominated society has made sure to define what women are supposed to do with their body.
User group
This project focuses on 18-24 year old's with female reproductive system belonging to upper-middle class Indian families.
Methods Used: User Persona, Stakeholders Analysis, Empathy map
Research Questions
Why is the gap in knowledge and awareness so huge in India?
What can bridge this gap? How can technology help bridge this
gap?
What happens when doctors become judgmental and ignorant?
How does judgement influence their actions?
With access to multiple perspectives through the internet, how
to identify its credibility?
Is the generation gap a culprit? Do parents recognize unaware-
ness about reproductive health as a problem for young adults?
Or are they afraid to talk about it?
Research Summary
METHODS USED
Secondary Research
Expert Interviews: Consulted 5 healthcare professionals
Contextual Inquiry: Observed participant behavior and environments
Myth vs. Fact Survey: Surveyed 50 female participants
Google Survey: Reached 100 female participants
Focus Group: Conducted with 10 female participants
KEY DATA POINTS
Awareness Gaps
Pregnancy During Periods: 76% of participants (38 out of 50) were unaware that pregnancy is possible during menstruation.
UTI Risk from Pads: 46% (23 out of 50) didn’t know that prolonged pad use could cause Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs).
STD Knowledge: 40% (20 out of 50) didn’t know some STDs are treatable with antibiotics, and some believed all STDs are fatal.
Surrounding Influences
Parental Guidance: Only 30% had parents who discussed sexual health, hygiene, contraception, or consent.
School Sex Education: 60% of urban schools lack sex education classes, with even lower rates across the country.
Analysis
Stigma and Judgement lead to hesitation and ignorance
Lack of Government and Schools initiatives are the base of the issue
System faults hinder prevention and patient experience
Myths lead to misinformed decisions
Awareness is the most important
Bloom: the Health and Hygiene Guide
Overview
Bloom provides young adult women with reliable health information, products, and access to healthcare professionals through a monthly subscription kit and app.
How It Works
AI-Driven Filtering: AI removes unreliable information, leaving only credible sources.
Verification by Experts: Healthcare professionals verify the data, gain patients, and share in profits.
User Access: Verified information is arranged on the app for users.
Design Approach
Theme: Pastel colors create a calming effect.
Imagery: Real images, as users found illustrations in other apps to be too childish.
Navigation: A home page lists all app functions, making it easy for users to find what they need.
The flow
INTERaction
Onboarding
Upon sign-up, users answer questions analyzed by AI to assess awareness and tailor the app experience. User data remains private and secure.
App Features
Information: Delivers personalized, relevant health information.
Calendar: Tracks period dates and subscription kit delivery.
Subscription: Users can view their kit details and manage subscriptions.
Health Checklist: Tracks important health actions (e.g., cervical cancer vaccines, pap smears).
Professional Appointments: Allows scheduling with top-rated healthcare professionals.
Info Club: Includes chat rooms, community sections, and information categories.
Subscription Kit
Integrated into the app, allowing users convenient access to health resources and eliminating the need to engage with outside stakeholders.
user testing
User testing was crucial for personalizing the kit and app. Each stage provided insights that improved the product.
Stage 1:
Goal: Determine preferred user medium and packaging.
Findings: Users preferred an app for its personalization and convenience; different packaging and color themes were explored.
Stage 2:
Goal: Test prototype of kit and app.
Findings: Users preferred video messages and liked the idea of gifting options. Doctors confirmed their participation, with monetary benefits as a key requirement.
Stage 3:
Goal: Final testing of kit and app.
Findings: Users were satisfied with the final version, and future goals were identified. Doctors reaffirmed their interest in ongoing involvement.
image gallery
WANT TO KNOW MORE?
1. Introduction Video: Bloom : A health and hygiene guide
2. Research Paper: Prevalence of Cervical Cancer In India
3. Documentation Book: View the full process