Introduction
Meeting the sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) needs of adolescents is one of the major concerns of governments and institutions around the globe, and especially, in Africa [
1‐
4]. In developing nations, access to information, contraceptive usage and ability to make informed sexual decision and practice safe sexual life are hindered by several barriers such as financial constraints, cultural limitations, misconceptions, limited access to adolescent-friendly services and stigma and discrimination [
5,
6]. These barriers are often founded on both structural and sociocultural norms/expectations that shroud sexual issues in secrecy, making it particularly challenging for groups like adolescents to harness available resources [
7].
Sexuality education is a prominent tool that several governments in sub-Saharan Africa have adopted to reach adolescents with information and services on SRHR, in line with national and international directives [
3,
4]. The transition has moved from public education to comprehensive sexuality education targeting both in-school and out-of-school adolescents while integrating several stakeholders such as teachers, parents and health providers [
8]. Nevertheless, concerns on privacy, stigma and discrimination as well as inadequate delivery of information and services are but a few challenges this mode of communication is saddled with [
1,
9]. Furthermore, in the face of emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic, face-to-face strategies tend to be ineffective due to restrictions (including lockdowns, curfews and other safety protocols) [
10]. The need, therefore, to explore other effective approaches which promote privacy and reduce stigma becomes not only imperative but also timely.
In the twenty-first century, digital technologies have become a necessity and possess the power needed to offset the challenges associated with SRHR face-to-face communication strategies [
11]. In the Maputo Plan of Action, for instance, advocacy for the use of new communication technologies has been emphasized [
3]. Moreover, with the continual increase in the possession of mobile phones and other communication devices among the youth [
12], integrating digital technologies in SRHR will incense rippling advantages.
Existing systematic reviews that explore the use of digital media have been conducted but largely in European contexts including studies by Guse et al. [
11] and Wadham et al. [
13]. Additionally, in a systematic review protocol by Feroz et al. [
14], focus is primarily on only adolescents’ use and engagement in mHealth interventions. These reviews offer a narrow perspective on the experiences of adolescents in the African settings [
11,
13,
14]. This review will expansively investigate how digital technology has been used by adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa to access information about their sexuality, reproductive health and rights. The ultimate edge of this review is to establish the basis for incorporating digital technologies in the teaching and learning, provision of and access to information and services on SRHR to adolescents by teachers, public health providers and peer educators in sub-Saharan Africa.
Objectives
In the systematic review, we aim to identify, critically synthesize and undertake a systematic review on how digital media are used by adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa to access SRHR information and services. Specifically, we will assess/rationalize the following:
1.
Types of digital media that adolescents use to access SRHR information and services and the specific SRHR issues they use digital media for
2.
Reasons for using digital media and challenges/limitations associated with it
3.
Adolescents’ experience with access to SRHR information and services using digital media (availability, affordability, appropriateness and acceptability)
Discussion
This review is important in updating the academic community and decision-makers on the various digital media platforms that adolescents are currently using to communicate issues on SRHR, with particular interest in experiences from sub-Saharan Africa. It will help decision-makers in their quest to identify common platforms adolescent use in order to streamline them into their e-strategical project and planning to enhance adolescent sexual and reproductive health. The findings from this study will also provide comprehensive information on the top SRHR issues that adolescents seek to address in the subregion. Additionally, a catalogue of the challenges associated with the use of digital media will help information providers in considering the risks involved in the use of digital media and how it can be minimized to ensure smooth delivery of SRHR information to adolescents. We hope that the findings from this study will propel the need for institutionalized inclusion of digital technologies in the teaching and learning, provision of and access to SRHR information and services by teachers, public health providers and peer educators.
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