Sexual and reproductive health interventions geared toward adolescent males: A scoping review

Abstract

Problem: Male adolescent sexual and reproductive health (SRH) interventions are rare worldwide. The high prevalence of sexually transmitted infections and pregnancies among female and male adolescents worldwide highlights the need for comprehensive interventions that include both genders in the educational process.

Objective: Our main focus is studying and analysing male-focused SRH interventions globally to include males in evidence-based interventions that improve SRH of adolescent males.

Eligibility criteria: This Review was conducted using the PRISMA extension for scoping reviews. The following databases were searched: PubMed, Embase, Web of science, Scopus, CINAHL and PsycInfo.

Inclusion criteria: 1) No time or date limits; 2)all types of studies; 3)SRH campaign; 4)males; 5)10 to 19 years.

Sample: Five thousand and sixty-eight articles were identified and 166 peer-reviewed articles met the inclusion criteria.

Results: Family planning was identified as the primary domain covered for adolescents. While interactive activities was the most common method used to deliver information to adolescents about sexual health. SRH interventions for males were most prevalent in America. While in the Eastern Mediterranean region (EMR), no male interventions were found in our review.

Conclusion: This scoping review emphasizes the need to include adolescent males in sexual and reproductive health interventions, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and the EMR. Policymakers should develop comprehensive programs that address male-specific needs, improve training for intervention providers, and enhance reporting processes to identify gaps and barriers to male inclusion.

Implication: Future research should be directed toward the obstacles that prevent SRH interventions targeting males from being carried out.

Keywords: Adolescent; Campaign; Intervention; Male; Program; Sexual reproductive health.