About this Research Topic

Background

In recent years addressing the sexual and reproductive health needs of young people, aged 10-24 years, in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) has become a global health priority, given its social, economic, and health impacts. A growing body of evidence makes it clear that substantial improvement has been made around addressing the sexual and reproductive health (SRH) needs of young people in SSA. There are several effective interventions and programs in the region geared towards improving the sexual and reproductive health and well-being of young people.

However, substantial gaps remain in the translation of these evidence-based interventions to practice or polices. The rapid uptake of effective interventions and technologies are needed to achieve the best possible sexual and reproductive health outcomes among young people in SSA. To maximize the impact of these interventions there is a need to systematically assess and understand delivery systems, strategies and processes that influence translation to real-world settings and policy changes.

Implementation science is a theoretically informed and systematic approach to accelerate the uptake of evidence-based interventions. It is focused on closing the gap between effective evidence-based intervention and real-world practice/policies, thereby maximizing the impact of these interventions. Inquiry on implementation science and policy as well as health system changes is critical to accelerating the impact interventions and programs to improve the sexual and reproductive health outcomes of young people in SSA. To meet the sustainable development goal (target 3.7), which is to achieve universal access to sexual and reproductive health services for all by 2030, there is need for consolidated efforts to identify implementation strategies and Policy/Health System changes that promote sexual and reproductive health and well-being of young people in SSA.

The purpose of this article collection is to add to the body of knowledge on novel approaches based on implementation science for enhancing the translation of evidence-based sexual and reproductive health interventions for young people in SSA to practice or polices. We are especially interested in papers that advance understanding of properties of healthcare systems that enable or constrain SRH related outcomes. This issue will highlight the range of implementation science related to adolescent SRH in SSA, from concepts and methods, to preliminary findings, evaluation, and impact. The goal of this collection is to map out a way forward to expand and optimize implementation science and health system changes to maximize impact on adolescent SRH in SSA. We welcome Original Research papers using different study designs as well as Systematic Reviews, Meta-Analyses, Commentaries, and Opinion articles.

We would also like to acknowledge Dr. Ucheoma Catherine Nwaozuru, who has acted as a Coordinator and has contributed to the preparation of the proposal for this Research Topic.

Please note that Frontiers also offers a Fee Support Program, available to any authors seeking financial support. If you would like any further information about this, please get in touch with the Editorial Office at reproductivehealth@frontiersin.org.

Keywords: Sexual and Reproductive health, Implementation Science, Health systems/Policies, Young people, Sub-Saharan Africa

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

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