About this Research Topic
In the last three years, emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases such as COVID-19, Mpox, and Ebola have produced biological, social, and economic shocks to societies. The social and clinical effects of these emerging and re-emerging infections on individuals vary by developmental and life stage and may have long-lasting, epigenetic, or multi-generational consequences. Moreover, emerging and re-emerging infections may impact sexual health and reproductive health (SRH) directly through sexual transmission routes for relevant infections or indirectly through complex mechanisms, implicating biological, behavioral, and health system response pathways.
Adolescence (ages 10-19 years) and youth (ages 15-24) are vulnerable developmental stages marked by physical, emotional, cognitive, and behavioral changes. Adolescence and youth also mark a critical period of change related to SRH. The World Health Organization defines SRH as “a state of physical, emotional, mental, and social well-being about sexuality and the reproductive system and its functions and processes.” Sexual health requires a positive and respectful approach to sexuality and sexual relationships and the possibility of having pleasurable and safe sexual experiences free of coercion, discrimination, and violence. Reproductive health builds on sexual health and includes the ability to reproduce and the freedom to decide if, when, and how often. Adolescents and youth needing SRH services are learning to navigate care. Many marginalized and discriminated youth experience limitations in available and accessible services. Emerging and re-emerging infections further exacerbate health service availability and accessibility barriers.
Understanding the impact of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases on SRH, and developing and implementing interventions, becomes more critical as the world experiences more frequent infectious disease crises and the adolescent and youth population expands in many parts of the world. This understanding will allow for more robust health policies, systems, and interventions that meet the needs of young people and enable positive SRH outcomes.
In this volume, we seek to include articles on the following:
● The contribution of emerging and re-emerging infections like COVID-19, Mpox, and Ebola on adolescents' physical, emotional, cognitive, and behavioral development and SRH outcomes.
● The intersection of emerging and re-emerging infections and social determinants of health on adolescent SRH outcomes and care seeking.
a. The impact of COVID-19 on SRH outcomes among adolescent girls, young women and sexual and gender minorities.
b. Behavioral, clinical and biological factors affecting SRH in adolescent persons with sexually transmitted versus non-sexual transmitted Mpox.
● Innovations in developing and delivering SRH interventions for adolescents in settings affected by emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases – (e.g., digital health, telehealth, and community delivery).
Selection of manuscripts for this Research Topic will be via a 2-stage process:
Abstracts: It is strongly recommended potential authors submit an abstract (350 words) by 31st March 2023 to determine the theme fit for the Research Topic. Abstracts should be submitted via Frontiers in Reproductive Health’s online submission system. Authors will receive feedback from the Topic Editors and notified of acceptance by 28th April 2023.
Manuscripts: Potential authors are encouraged to visit the Frontiers in Reproductive Health website (https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/reproductive-health/for-authors/article-types) and review the Instructions for Authors for the specific guidelines for the various types of manuscripts. All article types, except for Technology and Code, will be accepted. The word count for article types varies, with some allowing up to 12,000 words. However, authors should aim for succinct communication.
Final manuscripts must be submitted to Frontiers in Reproductive Health by 31st July 2023, via the online submission system. Selected manuscripts will undergo standard peer review overseen by the Topic Editors.
Adolescence (ages 10-19 years) and youth (ages 15-24) are vulnerable developmental stages marked by physical, emotional, cognitive, and behavioral changes. Adolescence and youth also mark a critical period of change related to SRH. The World Health Organization defines SRH as “a state of physical, emotional, mental, and social well-being about sexuality and the reproductive system and its functions and processes.” Sexual health requires a positive and respectful approach to sexuality and sexual relationships and the possibility of having pleasurable and safe sexual experiences free of coercion, discrimination, and violence. Reproductive health builds on sexual health and includes the ability to reproduce and the freedom to decide if, when, and how often. Adolescents and youth needing SRH services are learning to navigate care. Many marginalized and discriminated youth experience limitations in available and accessible services. Emerging and re-emerging infections further exacerbate health service availability and accessibility barriers.
Understanding the impact of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases on SRH, and developing and implementing interventions, becomes more critical as the world experiences more frequent infectious disease crises and the adolescent and youth population expands in many parts of the world. This understanding will allow for more robust health policies, systems, and interventions that meet the needs of young people and enable positive SRH outcomes.
In this volume, we seek to include articles on the following:
● The contribution of emerging and re-emerging infections like COVID-19, Mpox, and Ebola on adolescents' physical, emotional, cognitive, and behavioral development and SRH outcomes.
● The intersection of emerging and re-emerging infections and social determinants of health on adolescent SRH outcomes and care seeking.
a. The impact of COVID-19 on SRH outcomes among adolescent girls, young women and sexual and gender minorities.
b. Behavioral, clinical and biological factors affecting SRH in adolescent persons with sexually transmitted versus non-sexual transmitted Mpox.
● Innovations in developing and delivering SRH interventions for adolescents in settings affected by emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases – (e.g., digital health, telehealth, and community delivery).
Selection of manuscripts for this Research Topic will be via a 2-stage process:
Abstracts: It is strongly recommended potential authors submit an abstract (350 words) by 31st March 2023 to determine the theme fit for the Research Topic. Abstracts should be submitted via Frontiers in Reproductive Health’s online submission system. Authors will receive feedback from the Topic Editors and notified of acceptance by 28th April 2023.
Manuscripts: Potential authors are encouraged to visit the Frontiers in Reproductive Health website (https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/reproductive-health/for-authors/article-types) and review the Instructions for Authors for the specific guidelines for the various types of manuscripts. All article types, except for Technology and Code, will be accepted. The word count for article types varies, with some allowing up to 12,000 words. However, authors should aim for succinct communication.
Final manuscripts must be submitted to Frontiers in Reproductive Health by 31st July 2023, via the online submission system. Selected manuscripts will undergo standard peer review overseen by the Topic Editors.
Keywords: Emerging infections, Adolescents, COVID-19, Mpox, Ebola, Sexual health, Reproductive health
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.
