Table 1 Study characteristics
Author/Title | Year | Study setting | Sample size | Study population | Age of participants | Main objectives | Study design | Conclusions/recommendations | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Asnong et al. Adolescents’ perceptions and experiences of pregnancy in refugee and migrant communities on the Thailand-Myanmar border: a qualitative study | 2018 | Two refugee camps (Thailand/ Myanmar border) | Total sample: 40 participants (20 pregnant adolescents, 3 husbands of pregnant adolescents, 6 adolescent boys, 6 non-pregnant adolescent girls, 5 locally trained ANC staff members) | Migrants and refugee pregnant adolescents’ girls attending ANC and non pregnant adolescents’ girls | 13–19 | Explore adolescent pregnancy including the experience, consequences, family, and community support, and SRH knowledge on two refugee camps | Qualitative Cross-sectional FGDs and individual interviews | Adolescents refer to pregnancy as a challenging life event It is necessary to provide comprehensive adolescent friendly SRH services and education to the refugee and migrant communities on the Thailand-Myanmar border |
2 | Bakesiima et al. Modern contraceptive use among female refugee adolescents in northern Uganda: prevalence and associated factors | 2020 | Palabek refugee settlement (Northern Uganda) | 839 adolescent girls | Sexually active female refugees | 15–19 | Establish the prevalence and associated factors with modern contraceptive use among female refugee adolescents in Uganda | Quantitative Cross-sectional Questionnaire | Modern contraceptive use was less than 10% among refugee adolescents, putting them at pregnancy risk and its consequences during adolescence. The main reasons for not using modern contraceptives were partner prohibition, fear of side effects, and lack of knowledge This evidence an urgent need for access to quality SRH services and for SRH counselling to empower adolescent girls in refugee settings |
3 | Benner et al. Reproductive health and quality of life of young Burmese refugees in Thailand | 2010 | Two refugee camps (Thailand) | 416 (222 adolescent boys and 194 adolescent girls) | Young Burmese refugee's | 15—24 years | Assess young Burmese refugee's reproductive health issues and quality of life | Quantitative and Qualitative Cross-sectional Self-responded questionnaire Semi-structured questionnaires | There is a lack of sexual health information and SRH services. There is a need for specific policies |
4 | Bol et al. Pregnancy among adolescent girls in humanitarian settings: a case in refugee camp of Gambella regional state, community-based cross-sectional study, Southwest Ethiopia, 2021 | 2021 | Nguenyyiel Refugee Camp (Gambella region, Southwest Ethiopia) | 414 (adolescent girls) | Adolescent girls living in the Nguenyyiel Refugee Camp for at least 6 months before the data collection | 10 –19 | Determine the prevalence of pregnancy among adolescent girls and associated factors in a Refugee Camp, in the Southwest of Ethiopia | Quantitative Cross-sectional Questionnaire HCG pregnancy test | There is a high prevalence of pregnancy among refugee adolescent girls in the Nguenyyiel Refugee Camp, most among late-stage, illiterate, and those adolescents living without a biological family It is necessary to provide comprehensive adolescent-friendly SRH services and education Future researchers should address other important points such as unmet family planning needs and unwanted pregnancy and use a mixed approach (qualitative and quantitative study) |
5 | El Ayoubi et al. Sexual and Reproductive Health Information and Experiences Among Syrian Refugee Adolescent Girls in Lebanon | 2021 | Lebanon’s Bekaa governorate | There is no description of the total number of participants: 3 FG with unmarried adolescent girls (5–7 participants/FG), 11 IDIs with married adolescent girls, and 2 FG with mothers of 11- to 14-year-old adolescent girls (4–8 participants/ FG) | Married and unmarried Syrian refugee adolescent girls | 14–20 | Understand what SRH information Syrian refugee adolescent girls receive and from which sources | Qualitative Cross-sectional FGDs and individual in-depth interviews (IDI) | There are misconceptions regarding SRH information. The preferred source of information of the married and unmarried adolescent girls was their mothers, followed by schools` and NGO`s SRH sessions, and their peers The SRH programs for refugee adolescent girls should engage their mothers improving their SRH knowledge and communication skills |
6 | Elnakib et al. Drivers and consequences of child marriage in a context of protracted displacement: a qualitative study among Syrian refugees in Egypt | 2021 | Giza, Damietta, and Qalyubia (Egypt) | 72 (27 married and unmarried adolescent girls, 14 adolescent girls’ mothers, 3 adolescent girls’ fathers, 9 Community Leaders, 6 Health Providers, 11 Humanitarians, 2 Legal experts) | Married and unmarried Syrian refugee adolescent girls | 10–19 | Understand the drivers of child marriage in a displacement context and how this affects the Syrian refugees girl's wellbeing | Qualitative Cross-sectional FGDs and individual in-depth interviews (IDI) | The study provides an overview of the marriage of adolescent Syrian refugee girls living in Egypt. The interventions should focus not only on the prevention of child marriage but also on mitigating their impacts |
7 | Ganle et al. Risky sexual behavior and contraceptive use in contexts of displacement: insights from a cross-sectional survey of female adolescent refugees in Ghana | 2019 | Budumburam refugee camp (Ghana) | 242 (adolescent girls) | Refugee adolescent girls | 14–19 | Assess contraceptive use and sexual behavior among female adolescent refugees in Ghana | Quantitative Cross-sectional Structured questionnaire | The use of modern contraceptives, their knowledge and access to them among refugee adolescent girls are very low |
8 | Ghandour et al. Coming of age: a qualitative study of adolescent girls’ menstrual preparedness in Palestinian refugee camps in the West Bank and Jordan | 2022 | Palestinian refugee camps in the West Bank and Jordan | 232 (adolescent girls) | Palestinian refugee adolescent girls | 14–21 | Understand how Palestinian adolescent girls were prepared for menstruation and the main factors influencing their preparedness | Qualitative Cross-sectional FGDs and individual in-depth interviews (IDI) | There is a need for evidence-based interventions regarding SRH (of refugee adolescent girls to address these disparities |
9 | Goers et al. Child marriage among displaced populations—a 2019 study in Kurdistan Region of Iraq | 2022 | Governorates of Sulaimani, Erbil, Dohuk (Kurdistan Region of Iraq) | 3040 (AGYW) | Host, internally displaced (IDP) and refugee adolescent girls from KRI | 10–24 | Describe child marriage prevalence, influences, and beliefs among displaced populations in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) | Quantitative Cross-sectional Survey | IDP adolescent girls have an increased risk for child marriage than refugee and host adolescent girls in KRI |
10 | Ivanova et al. A cross-sectional mixed-methods study of sexual and reproductive health knowledge, experiences, and access to services among refugee adolescent girls in the Nakivale refugee settlement, Uganda | 2019 | Nakivale refugee settlement (Isingiro District, Southwest Uganda) | 260 (adolescent girls) | Refugee adolescent girls | 13–19 | Provide an overview of SRH experiences, knowledge, and access to services among adolescent refugee girls in a humanitarian setting in Uganda | Quantitative and Qualitative Cross-sectional Questionnaire Semi-structured questionnaires and individual in-depth interviews (IDI) | Refugee adolescent girls in humanitarian settings have limited access to SRH services and SRH knowledge. The schools and the parents are their main sources of SRH information A multi-sectoral approach is needed for SRH education and access to SRH services for adolescents. It is also important to offer comprehensive care to sexual violence victims |
11 | Kågesten et al. Transitions into puberty and access to sexual and reproductive health information in two humanitarian settings: cross-sectional survey of very young adolescents from Somalia and Myanmar | 2017 | Thailand-Myanmar border and Kobe refugee camp (Ethiopia) | 406 Somali VYA girls 399 VYA girls from Myanmar | Refugee adolescent girls from Somalia and from Myanmar | 10–14 | Describes the characteristics of very young adolescents (VYA) in two humanitarian settings, regarding transitions into puberty, MHM, and access to SRH information | Quantitative Cross-sectional Structured questionnaire | There is a lack of SRH information and supplies for MHM in these two humanitarian settings. VYA's parents are their main source of SRH information SRH interventions involving parents and educational centers may have encouraging results on the VYA pubertal and sexual development |
12 | Kemigisha et al. A Qualitative Study Exploring Menstruation Experiences and Practices among Adolescent Girls Living in the Nakivale Refugee Settlement, Uganda | 2020 | Nakivale refugee settlement (Isingiro District, Southwest Uganda) | 28 (adolescent girls) | Refugee adolescent girls | 13–19 | Describe the context and challenges faced by adolescent refugee girls during migration and their stay at the refugee settlement in Uganda and address the knowledge gap | Qualitative Cross-sectional FGDs and interviews | Refugee adolescent girls in humanitarian settings have poor menstrual health management (MHM). It is mandatory to provide timely and evidence-based information. Family and school have an important role in this process |
13 | Knox How they see it: young women's views on early marriage in a post-conflict setting | 2017 | Nahr el Bared Palestinian refugee camp (North Lebanon) | 37 adolescent girls, 5 adolescent girls’ mothers and 12 NGO workers | Refugee girls from and residing in Nahrel Bared, married engaged to Palestinian refugee men from and residing in Nahr el Bared | Explore the views and experiences of early marriage among married and engaged refugee adolescent girls | Qualitative Cross-sectional FGDs and individual in-depth interviews (IDI) | The refugee adolescent girls residing in Nahr el Bared do not feel forced to marry and did not see themselves as victims. Early marriage was related to insecurity, isolation and loss of friendships and peers. There is a lack of information and misinformation regarding SRH. Any intervention in early marriage must include the community and bring adolescent girls together providing access to courses, leadership, and civic engagement | |
14 | Korri et al. Sexual and reproductive health of Syrian refugee adolescent girls: a qualitative study using focus group discussions in an urban setting in Lebanon | 2021 | Bourj Hammoud (Urban setting in Lebanon) | 40 (adolescent girls) | Married and unmarried Kurdish and Arab Syrian refugee adolescent girls | 13–17 | Explore the SRH perceptions and experiences of Syrian refugee adolescent girls living in an urban setting in Lebanon | Qualitative Cross-sectional FGDs | There is a need for solid information about SRH issues, through accessible programs adolescents and additionally, encouraging the role of mothers perceived as trusted and accessible sources of information |
15 | Lee et al. Sexual and reproductive health needs and risks of very young adolescent refugees and migrants from Myanmar living in Thailand | 2017 | Mae Sot (Myanmar-Thailand border) and Mae La Refugee camp (Thailand) | 180 participants (88 adolescent boys, 88 adolescent girls, 4 adolescent parents) | Refugee adolescent girls | 10–16 | Understand the SRH needs and risks of VYA in two humanitarian settings | Qualitative Cross-sectional FGDs (community mapping and photos) | There is a lack of SRH information. Schools, youth centers and religious institutions were identified as trustable places to obtain information There is a need for youth-directed programs and policies, involving peer-peer communication |
16 | Logie et al. Sexually transmitted infection testing awareness, uptake and diagnosis among urban refugee and displaced youth living in informal settlements in Kampala, Uganda: a cross-sectional study | 2019 | 5 informal settlements in Kampala (Uganda) | 445 (112 young men and 333 young women) | Youth self-identified as IDP or refugee | 16–24 | Explore factors associated with the STI services awareness, testing and diagnosis among urban refugees and displaced youth in Kampala, Uganda | Quantitative Cross-sectional Survey | The SRH stigma among urban refugee young women was associated with lower STI services awareness, testing uptake and diagnosis. Strategies tailored by gender and age can be promising for STI prevention |
17 | Logie et al. Social ecological factors associated with experiencing violence among urban refugee and displaced adolescent girls and young women in informal settlements in Kampala, Uganda: a cross-sectional study | 2019 | 5 informal settlements in Kampala (Uganda) | 333 (adolescent girls) | Adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) self-identified as IDP or refugee | 16–24 | Determine the prevalence of experience violence among urban refugees and displaced AGYW and the socio-demographic and social-ecological factors associated | Quantitative Cross-sectional Survey | The study provides information regarding the prevalence and correlates of young adulthood violence and recent intimate partner violence among urban refugee AGYW. There are a need for comprehensive interventions addressing economic and cultural gender-based inequities. Next studies should explore digital health technology use among urban refugee AGYW and its associations with risk for SGBV as well as its potential use in SGBV prevention |
18 | Logie et al. Exploring resource scarcity and contextual influences on wellbeing among young refugees in Bidi Bidi refugee settlement, Uganda: findings from a qualitative study | 2021 | Bidi Bidi refugee settlement (Uganda) | 48 (24 men; 24 women) | Refugee or displaced adolescent and youth | 16–24 | Address knowledge gaps regarding Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) risks among refugee adolescents and youth. The secondary aim (due to the emergence of COVID-19 during the study) was to explore experiences and perspectives toward COVID-19 among this population | Qualitative Cross-sectional FGDs and individual in-depth interviews (IDI) | Contextual factors affect refugee adolescents' and youth's well-being. The social-ecological model for SGBV among adolescent girls in humanitarian settings can be extended considering resource scarcity (water, food, firewood) and ecological contexts such as deforestation Strategies to address SGBV should be gender and age tailored |
19 | Logie et al. The role of context in shaping HIV testing and prevention engagement among urban refugee and displaced adolescents and youth in Kampala, Uganda: findings from a qualitative study | 2021 | Kampala’s informal settlements (Uganda) | 44 (17 young men, 27 young women from Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Burundi and Sudan) | Refugee or displaced adolescent and youth | 16–24 | Understand experiences and access to HIV testing and prevention among urban refugee/displaced youth in Kampala | Qualitative Cross-sectional FGDs | The barriers to HIV testing and prevention were transportation costs to clinics, lack of private spaces due to overcrowded living conditions, low literacy, and language barriers. Symbolic contexts were medical mistrust and inequitable gender norms The interventions should include religious leaders to offer contextually relevant services and gender transformative approaches |
20 | Loutet et al. Sexual and reproductive health factors associated with child, early and forced marriage and partnerships among refugee youth in a humanitarian setting in Uganda: Mixed methods findings | 2022 | Bidi Bidi refugee settlement (Uganda) | In-depth interviews were conducted among 12 youth (boys and girls) and 8 elders aged 55 + years old who were sexual violence survivors, eight healthcare providers working in Bidi Bidi 48 youth participated in FGDs 120 youth answered the questionnaires | Refugee or displaced adolescent and youth | 16–24 | Address the gaps in the prevalence and health outcomes of the child, early and forced marriage (CEFMP) in humanitarian settings | Quantitative and Qualitative Cross-sectional Questionnaire FGDs and individual in-depth interviews (IDI) | CEFMP is common among youth in humanitarian settings and is influenced by poverty and education, impacting the reproductive outcomes among young refugee women. There is a need for context-specific interventions to address CEFMP |
21 | Malama et al. Factors associated with motherhood among urban refugee adolescent girls and young women in informal settlements in Kampala, Uganda | 2022 | 5 informal settlements in Kampala (Uganda) | 333 (adolescent girls) | Refugee or displaced adolescent girls and young women | 16–24 | Address the knowledge gap around the factors associated with motherhood among AGYW living in informal settlements | Quantitative Cross-sectional Survey | Motherhood among refugee AGYW was associated with food insecurity, depressive symptoms and recent contraceptive uptake. It is recommended an SRH and mental health integrated service as well as resource insecurity initiatives in the community |
22 | Marlow et al. The Sexual and Reproductive Health Context of an Internally Displaced Persons’ Camp in Northeastern Nigeria: Narratives of Girls and Young Women | 2022 | IDP camp in Northeastern Nigeria | 25 (adolescent girls) | Single and married IDP adolescent girls and young women | 15–24 | Understand SRH AGYW's experiences as unwanted pregnancy, abortion, contraception, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), gender-based violence (GBV), and forced marriage | Qualitative Cross-sectional FGDs and individual in-depth interviews (IDI) | IDP adolescent girls and young women have poor SRH outcomes including unwanted pregnancies, STIs, GBV, and unsafe abortion. Due to the ongoing violence, food insecurity and lack of resources, AGYW are forced into sexual relationships and early marriages. Despite some SRH services available, AGYWs do not access them due to shame and stigma To improve poor SSR outcomes, it is necessary to provide integrated services that address the drivers of early sex and forced marriage |
23 | Marlow et al. Contraceptive use, menstrual resumption, and experience of pregnancy and birth among girls and young women in an internally displaced persons camp in Northeastern Nigeria | 2022 | IDP camp in Northeastern Nigeria | 480 (adolescent girls) | Displaced adolescent girls and young women | 15–24 | Examine the relationships between contraceptive use, menstrual resumption, and pregnancy and birth experiences of AGYW in an IDP camp | Quantitative Cross-sectional Survey | Contraceptive services have yet to reach many AGYW in the IDP camps in Northeastern Nigeria |
24 | McMichael Unplanned but not unwanted? Teen pregnancy and parenthood among young people with refugee backgrounds | 2013 | Settlements in Victoria (Australia) | 9 adolescent girls | Pregnant African-born young women with refugee backgrounds | 11–19 | Examines the ways adolescent girls with refugee backgrounds negotiate teen pregnancy and the challenges of early settlement | Qualitative Longitudinal (4 years) Field notes, open-ended survey questions and interviews | All adolescent reported an unplanned pregnancy, for someone the pregnancies it was unwanted. All of them quit the school, most of them reported they receive family support It is fundamental provide SRH education on the settlements, and for pregnant adolescent, programs should support them to return to school, work and ensure access to adequate housing |
25 | Meyer et al. Understanding the Sexual and Reproductive Health Experiences of Refugee and Host Community Adolescents and Youth in Rwanda During COVID-19: Needs, Barriers, and Opportunities | 2022 | Mahama Refugee Camp (Rwanda) | 517 (adolescent girls and boys) | Refugee adolescent and youth | 10–24 | Understand the reasons for accessing SRH information and services by adolescents and youth refugees | Qualitative Cross-sectional FGDs and adolescents and youth refugees’ stories | Difficulties accessing SRH information and services (including stigmatization among service providers) were reported by adolescents and youth There is a need to increase specific SRH services prioritization for adolescents and youth in humanitarian settings |
26 | Odo et al. Sexual and Reproductive Health Needs and Problems of Internally Displaced Adolescents (IDAs) in Borno State, Nigeria: A Mixed Method Approach | 2020 | IDP camps in Borno State (Nigeria) | 396 (220 adolescent boys and 176 adolescent women) | ID adolescent and youth | 10–24 | Identify the ID adolescents and youth SRH needs and problems and the strategies for improving their SRH | Quantitative and Qualitative Cross-sectional Questionnaire FGDs | SRH problems such as pregnancy complications, adolescent pregnancy, early sex experimentation, unsafe sex, maternal mortality, STIs, sexual harassment, genital fistulas, abortion and its complications were reported by internally displaced adolescents and youth Youth-friendly SRH services were reported as a possibility to address SSR needs and problems |
27 | Okanlawon et al. Contraceptive Use: Knowledge, Perceptions and Attitudes of Refugee Youths in Oru Refugee Camp, Nigeria | 2010 | Oru refugee camp (Nigeria) | 280 youth (116 girls and boys) | Refugee AGYW | 10–24 | Examines the perceptions, beliefs, knowledge, and attitudes of refugee adolescents and youths toward contraceptive use and the access to them | Quantitative and Qualitative Cross-sectional Self-responded questionnaire FGDs and individual in-depth interviews (IDI) | There was a misinformation about contraceptives, perceived as a dangerous for women's health, and a difficult to accesses contraceptives The low contraception use resulted on a large number of unintended pregnancies and poor reproductive health outcomes The AGYW reported to engage in transactional sex and prostitution, highlighting their vulnerability and the need for specific policies for this population |
28 | Ortiz-Echevarria et al. Understanding the unique experiences, perspectives and sexual and reproductive health needs of very young adolescents: Somali refugees in Ethiopia | 2017 | Kobe refugee camp (Ethiopia) | 126 (32 adults: adolescents' parents) and 94 adolescents (46 girls and 48 boys) | Somali refugee very young adolescents (VYA) | 10–16 | Understand the realities of very young adolescents (VYAs) in Kobe refugee camp, and their health needs, expectations, and goals | Qualitative Cross-sectional FGDs | VYA girls in Kobe refugee camp are at increased risk of poor SRH outcomes due to inequitable relations between boys and girls, risk of physical and sexual violence, early marriage and harmful traditional practices The next programs should reinforce positive behaviors for VYA improving SRH |
29 | Pandit et al. Constraints and current practices of menstrual hygiene among Rohingya adolescent girls | 2022 | Kutupalong refugee camp (Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh) | 101 (adolescent girls) | Rohingya adolescent girls | 13–18 | Assess the MHM practices and constraints among adolescent girls in the Rohingya camps in Bangladesh | Quantitative and Qualitative Cross-sectional Semi-structured questionnaire FGDs | The Rohingya adolescent girls, have low premenstrual knowledge, face challenges regarding MHM as lack of disposable pads and inadequate toilets, exposing them to higher risk of sexual violence and live in limited supportive environments |
30 | Rakhshanda et al. Knowledge and practice regarding menstrual hygiene management among the Rohingya refugee adolescent girls in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh: a mixed method study | 2021 | Rohyngya refugee camp ( Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh) | 340 adolescent girls (340 questionnaires and 7 IDI) 14 adolescents' mothers (2 FGD) | Rohingya adolescent girls | 14–18 | Understand the knowledge, practice and associated factors regarding MHM among adolescent girls in Rohingya refugee camps | Qualitative Cross-sectional Structured questionnaire Individual in-depth interviews (IDI) | The adolescents have not enough knowledge on menstruation and have not enough disposable pads. Distance to reach toilet, soap availability and sociocultural norms determines the cleanliness and frequency of change of pads There is a need for specific female’s toilets near to the homestead, with clean water and soap, available and affordable sanitary pads and MHM counselling |
31 | Soeiro et al. Period poverty: menstrual health hygiene issues among adolescent and young Venezuelan migrant women at the northwestern border of Brazil | 2021 | Boa Vista (Roraima State, Brasil) | 153 (adolescent girls) | Venezuelan migrant AGYW | 10–24 | Provide an overview of the main MHM issues among Venezuelan migrant AGYW in Boa Vista, Roraima, Brazil | Quantitative Cross-sectional Self-responded questionnaire | The Venezuelan migrant AGYW have their MHM needs neglected and they were more affected due to the COVID-19 pandemic Efforts to address the MHM needs to be on collaboration NGO’s, UNHCR shelters and the Brazilian Government |
32 | Soeiro et al. A neglected population: Sexual and reproductive issues among adolescent and young Venezuelan migrant women at the northwestern border of Brazil | 2021 | Boa Vista (Roraima State, Brasil) | 153 (adolescent girls) | Venezuelan migrant AGYW | 10–24 | Describe an overview of the main SRH issues affecting migrant Venezuelan AGYW in Boa Vista, Brazil | Quantitative Cross-sectional Self-responded questionnaire | The migrant Venezuelan AGYW in Boa Vista have their SRH needs neglected, and due to the COVID-19 pandemic they might be more affected. Efforts to address SRH for this population should be on a coordinate and comprehensive response among the Brazilian healthcare network and NGO's |