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A Systematic Review of Sexual and Reproductive Health Knowledge, Experiences and Access to Services among Refugee, Migrant and Displaced Girls and Young Women in Africa

Author

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  • Olena Ivanova

    (Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Medical Centre of the University of Munich (LMU), 80802 Munich, Germany)

  • Masna Rai

    (Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Medical Centre of the University of Munich (LMU), 80802 Munich, Germany)

  • Elizabeth Kemigisha

    (Faculty of Interdisciplinary Studies, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 1410, Mbarara, Uganda)

Abstract

Adolescent girls and young women are an overlooked group within conflict- or disaster-affected populations, and their sexual and reproductive health (SRH) needs are often neglected. Existing evidence shows that forced migration and human mobility make girls and women more vulnerable to poor SRH outcomes such as high risk sexual behaviors, lack of contraception use, STIs and HIV/AIDS. We performed a systematic literature review to explore knowledge, experiences and access to SRH services in this population group across the African continent. Two databases (PubMed and Web of Science) were searched and from 896 identified publications, 15 peer-reviewed articles published in English met the inclusion criteria for this review. These consisted of eight applied qualitative, five quantitative and two mixed-method study designs. The quality of the studies was evaluated by the mixed-methods appraisal tool (MMAT) using scores in percentages (0–100%). Available evidence indicates that knowledge of young women and girls regarding contraceptive methods, STIs and HIV/AIDS are limited. This population group often experiences gender-based and sexual violence and abuse. The access and availability of SRH services are often limited due to distances, costs and stigma. This review demonstrates that there is still a dearth of peer-reviewed literature on SRH related aspects among refugee, migrant and displaced girls and young women in Africa. The data disaggregation by sex and age should be emphasized for future research in this field.

Suggested Citation

  • Olena Ivanova & Masna Rai & Elizabeth Kemigisha, 2018. "A Systematic Review of Sexual and Reproductive Health Knowledge, Experiences and Access to Services among Refugee, Migrant and Displaced Girls and Young Women in Africa," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-12, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:15:y:2018:i:8:p:1583-:d:160047
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. David Moher & Alessandro Liberati & Jennifer Tetzlaff & Douglas G Altman & The PRISMA Group, 2009. "Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses: The PRISMA Statement," PLOS Medicine, Public Library of Science, vol. 6(7), pages 1-6, July.
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    Cited by:

    1. Jinane Chalouhi & David C. Currow & Nuhad Yazbik Dumit & Shailendra Sawleshwarkar & Nancy Glass & Sophie Stanfield & Michelle Digiacomo & Patricia M. Davidson, 2025. "The Health and Well-Being of Women and Girls Who Are Refugees: A Case for Action," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 22(2), pages 1-18, January.
    2. Oluwakemi C. Amodu & Magdalena S. Richter & Bukola O. Salami, 2020. "A Scoping Review of the Health of Conflict-Induced Internally Displaced Women in Africa," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(4), pages 1-21, February.
    3. Mar Llorente-Marrón & Yolanda Fontanil-Gómez & Montserrat Díaz-Fernández & Patricia Solís García, 2021. "Disasters, Gender, and HIV Infection: The Impact of the 2010 Haiti Earthquake," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(13), pages 1-16, July.
    4. Osnat Keidar & David S. Srivastava & Emmanouil Pikoulis & Aristomenis K. Exadaktylos, 2019. "Health of Refugees and Migrants—Where Do We Stand and What Directions Should We Take?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(8), pages 1-8, April.
    5. Elizabeth Kemigisha & Masna Rai & Wendo Mlahagwa & Viola N. Nyakato & Olena Ivanova, 2020. "A Qualitative Study Exploring Menstruation Experiences and Practices among Adolescent Girls Living in the Nakivale Refugee Settlement, Uganda," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(18), pages 1-11, September.
    6. Julia B. Tankink & Anouk E. H. Verschuuren & Ineke R. Postma & Peggy J. A. van der Lans & Johanna P. de Graaf & Jelle Stekelenburg & Annelies W. Mesman, 2021. "Childbirths and the Prevalence of Potential Risk Factors for Adverse Perinatal Outcomes among Asylum Seekers in The Netherlands: A Five-Year Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(24), pages 1-14, December.
    7. Rosanna Le Voir, 2023. "Leaving no One Behind: Displaced Persons and Sustainable Development Goal Indicators on Sexual and Reproductive Health," Population Research and Policy Review, Springer;Southern Demographic Association (SDA), vol. 42(5), pages 1-24, October.
    8. Kadigo, Mark Marvin & Maystadt, Jean-Francois, 2023. "How to cope with a refugee population? Evidence from Uganda," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 169(C).
    9. Lotte De Schrijver & Anne Nobels & Jonathan Harb & Laurent Nisen & Kristien Roelens & Tom Vander Beken & Christophe Vandeviver & Ines Keygnaert, 2022. "Victimization of Applicants for International Protection Residing in Belgium: Sexual Violence and Help-Seeking Behavior," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-24, October.

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