Mlotshwa, L., Plüg, S., Simuyaba, M. et al. Sexual and reproductive health interventions for mobile adolescents and young people in sub-Saharan Africa: a scoping review. BMC Public Health 25, 3903 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-25119-4

Mobility among adolescents and young people (AYP) is a key factor influencing their access to sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR) services. Young migrants are more likely to experience gender-based violence and their access to SRHR services and education is often limited in their new communities. This scoping review aimed to map what is known about the extent and type of interventions focused on SRHR for mobile adolescents and young people (mAYP) in sub-Saharan Africa.

Following Arksey and O’Mally’s (2005) steps for conducting scoping reviews, the research team searched through four databases and identified 1,069 articles. After screening, 25 articles were included. The review reveals that many studies have been conducted in Uganda (n = 12), reported on conflict-related mobility (n = 15), and focused on HIV (n = 11). Two main intervention types were identified: Links to service provision and Knowledge, information, and skills development. Implementation facilitators included community health promoters, mentors, and peer supporters. Implementation barriers were limited literacy, social norms, access to facilities, and stigma associated with accessing services.

This scoping review found that research exploring SRHR interventions for mAYP is limited in sub-Saharan Africa. Future research and interventions should be underpinned by an understanding of young people’s health and wellbeing more broadly, and foreground the social, cultural, religious and economic factors that are shaping mAYP’s SRH needs.

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