University of Connecticut’s School of Nursing researchers are spearheading a groundbreaking initiative to tackle sexual health disparities among Black adolescent females and young women in foster care. The project, led by Dr. Christina Ross, involves the development of a mobile application called Zuri, aimed at promoting sexual health education and empowerment.
Funded by a $500,000 grant from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, the Zuri app is designed to be a culturally sensitive, trauma-informed resource. “Zuri is a sexual self-efficacy app, something that is totally different than what already exists. There is a profound need for an app like this that is culturally sensitive,” Dr. Ross explains.
The app will feature a customizable avatar acting as a “digital big sister,” along with games, video content, and learning modules covering topics such as pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections, and hygiene. Its primary goal is to empower users to communicate effectively about their sexual health needs with caregivers, partners, and healthcare providers.
Dr. Ross’s research focuses on addressing the disproportionate gap in sexual health education and elevated risks among Black adolescent females, particularly those in foster care. “Most girls go to biological parents for support like dating, understanding their bodies, and contraceptive use, but in the foster care system, these girls don’t know who to turn to,” she notes.
The development team is currently collecting preliminary data from potential users aged 18 to 23 to design a prototype. A randomized control trial is planned for spring 2025, following the app’s anticipated launch.
This initiative is part of a broader effort by UConn’s School of Nursing to address health equity across the lifespan. With over $1.2 million in recent grant funding, the school is committed to eliminating health disparities among diverse populations through innovative research and interventions.
See “Nursing Faculty Receive Funding for Health Equity Across the Lifespan Research” (November 4, 2024)