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. 2023 Nov 24;20:174. doi: 10.1186/s12978-023-01715-8

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