Advancing Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Evidence, Equity, and Innovations for Improved Health Outcomes

Adolescent sexual and reproductive health (SRH) represents a vital frontier in global pediatrics and public health. Adolescence, a transitional period marked by rapid physical, psychological, and social development, profoundly shapes long-term health trajectories. Despite global advances in maternal and child health, many adolescents in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) continue to experience restricted access to accurate SRH information and youth-friendly health services. Adolescent pregnancy, child marriage, unmet contraceptive needs, sexually transmitted infections (including HIV), unsafe abortion, and gender-based violence persist as substantial public health challenges. Structural and sociocultural barriers - such as poverty, stigma, gender inequality, and fragmented health systems - exacerbate these inequities. Recent evidence highlights progress through targeted interventions and policy reforms, yet gaps remain in generating adolescent-specific data, scaling sustainable innovations, and integrating SRH within adolescent and pediatric healthcare systems. There is an urgent need for collaborative scholarship that informs context-specific, equitable, and adolescent-centred solutions.This Research Topic aims to advance the understanding of adolescent SRH in LMICs by synthesizing multidisciplinary evidence and fostering innovative approaches to improve health outcomes and equity. It will explore the determinants, interventions, and systemic factors influencing adolescent reproductive health, with a special focus on the interplay between social norms, health systems, and developmental outcomes. The Research Topic also seeks to identify and evaluate scalable, culturally appropriate strategies that enhance adolescents’ access to comprehensive SRH education, prevention, and care services. Through empirical research, policy analyses, and cross-sectoral dialogue, this initiative intends to inform clinical practice, guide policymaking, and strengthen adolescent-responsive health systems aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals on health and gender equality.The scope of this Research Topic encompasses diverse methodological and conceptual contributions across low- and middle-income settings. We particularly welcome studies that address clinical, social, behavioural, and policy dimensions of adolescent reproductive health and their implications for pediatric care and long-term well-being. We also explicitly welcome comparative studies or lessons from high-income settings that offer clear, translatable insights for LMIC health policies.To gather further insights into adolescent health equity and innovation, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:- Determinants and consequences of adolescent reproductive health outcomes in LMICs- Adolescent pregnancy, child marriage, and early motherhood- Contraceptive access, uptake, and continuation among adolescents- HIV and other sexually transmitted infections- Mental health and psychosocial well-being in relation to SRH- Menstrual health, hygiene, and its intersection with education- Gender norms, power dynamics, and reproductive decision-making- Youth-friendly and rights-based health service delivery models- Digital and community-based health innovations for adolescent SRH- Policy implementation, governance, and health financing for adolescent well-being- Health inequalities and marginalized adolescent populationsWe welcome Original Research, Systematic Reviews, Scoping Reviews, Policy and Practice Reviews, Perspectives, Commentaries, Intervention Studies, Program Evaluations, and Case Studies illustrating practical and policy impacts. Topic editors: Turnwait Michael, Chukwuechefulam Kingsley Imo, Nebechukwu Henry Ugwu Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/83065/advancing-adolescent-sexual-and-reproductive-health-in-low--and-middle-income-countries-evidence-equity-and-innovations-for-improved-health-outcomes