How do social norms influence the sexual and reproductive health-related attitudes and behaviours of very young adolescents in Sub-Saharan Africa? A scoping review.

ABSTRACT:

Background

In Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), very young adolescents (aged 10-14 years) have the worst sexual and reproductive health (SRH) outcomes of this age group worldwide due to a range of factors, including social and gender norms. However, in this setting, SRH programming often focuses on older adolescents (aged 15-19 years), overlooking very young adolescents. This scoping review sought to explore how social and gender norms influence very young adolescents' SRH-related attitudes and behaviours in SSA and draw inferences for culturally sensitive, gender-responsive interventions.

Methods

The review followed the five-step framework developed by Arksey and O'Malley: (1) defining the research question, (2) identifying relevant studies, (3) selecting studies, (4) charting the

SUBMITTER: Ahmed FA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12764140 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature