AUTHOR=Aibangbee Michaels , Micheal Sowbhagya , Mapedzahama Virginia , Liamputtong Pranee , Pithavadian Rashmi , Hossain Zakia , Mpofu Elias , Dune Tinashe 

TITLE=Migrant and Refugee Youth’s Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights: A Scoping Review to Inform Policies and Programs

JOURNAL=International Journal of Public Health

VOLUME=Volume 68 - 2023

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.ssph-journal.org/journals/international-journal-of-public-health/articles/10.3389/ijph.2023.1605801

DOI=10.3389/ijph.2023.1605801

ISSN=1661-8564

ABSTRACT=Objectives: Migrants and refugee youth (MRY) in Western nations are less likely to participate in sexual reproductive health (SRH) services. Consequently, MRY are more likely to encounter adverse SRH experiences due to limited access and knowledge of SRH services. A scoping review was conducted to examine MRY’s understanding of and the implications for inclusive sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) programs and policies. 

Methods: A systematic search of literature across seven academic databases was conducted. Data were extracted following Partners for Dignity and Rights' Human Rights Assessment framework and analysed using the thematic-synthesis method.

Results: 38 literature (peer-reviewed, 24 and grey, 14) were considered eligible for inclusion. The findings highlighted significant barriers and the under-implementation of SRHR support and services by MRY. Key themes included limitations of SRH education, systemic discrimination, inequity, and anonymity and privacy risks.

Conclusions: The review shows that existing literature’s evaluation has not acknowledged community participation in proposing functional benefits for MRY’s SRHR. Findings suggest a need for policies and practices to empower MRY's agency through a collaborative SRHR strategy for relevance in multicultural contexts.