Sexual and reproductive health of adolescents and young people in the Gambia: a systematic review

Introduction: in Gambia, adolescents and young people make up 32% of the national population. Observations indicate that this population group lacks access to quality information and services on sexual and reproductive health. This systematic review explored sexual and reproductive health indicators for adolescents and young people in Gambia. Methods: published studies on sexual and reproductive health indicators were searched in PubMed, Google Scholar and African Journals Online. Moreover, national reference documents containing relevant in-country data on adolescents and young people's sexual and reproductive health were also collected and reviewed. Search terms for published studies focused on modern contraceptive and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) prevalence rates, availability and accessibility to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services and satisfaction levels with SRH services among adolescents and young people (aged 10-24 years). Results: the review showed that contraceptive prevalence rates among adolescents and young people in Gambia ranged from 7% to 9%. Reasons for low contraceptive prevalence among adolescents and young people included limited knowledge and access to sexual and reproductive health information and services, provider attitudes, stigma, shame, lack of money and cultural and religious misconceptions associated with contraception. Overall, the review found limited information on STI prevalence among adolescents and young people, with only a single published study reporting a prevalence rate of 8.4%. In addition, inadequate counseling and complaints related to physical environmentprocess of providing sexual and reproductive health services and information were significant factors associated with satisfaction with SRH services among adolescents and young people. Conclusion: this review provides important baseline data that may be useful for policymakers and program managers to improve adolescents and young people's sexual and reproductive health in Gambia

Promoting research to improve maternal, neonatal, infant and adolescent health in West Africa : the role of the West African Health Organisation

In this commentary, officials and other members of the West African Health Organisation (WAHO) examine the regional organisation’s role in promoting research as a tool for strengthening maternal and infant health in West Africa. While WAHO’s anchor point at the country level is the Ministry of Health, by integrating research into its work the organisation now works alongside other stakeholders including networks of research centres and universities

Promoting research to improve maternal, neonatal, infant and adolescent health in West Africa: the role of the West African Health Organisation

Abstract West Africa has adopted numerous strategies to counter maternal and infant mortality, provides national maternal and infant health programmes, and hosts many active technical and financial partners and non-governmental organisations. Despite this, maternal and infant morbidity and mortality indicators are still very high. In this commentary, internal actors and officials of the West African Health Organisation (WAHO) examine the regional organisation’s role in promoting research as a tool for strengthening maternal and infant health in West Africa. As a specialised institution of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) responsible for health issues, WAHO’s mission is to provide the sub-region’s population with the highest possible health standards by harmonising Member States’ policies, resource pooling, and cooperation among Member States and third countries to collectively and strategically combat the region’s health problems. To achieve this, WAHO’s main intervention strategy is that of facilitation, as this encourages the generation and use of evidence to inform decision-making and reinforce practice. WAHO’s analysis of interventions since 2000 showed that it had effected some changes in research governance, management and funding, as well as in individual and institutional capacity building, research dissemination, collaboration and exchanges between the various stakeholders. It also revealed several challenges such as process ownership, member countries’ commitment, weak individual and institutional capacity, mobilisation, and stakeholder commitment. To better strengthen evidence-based decision-making, in 2016, WAHO created a unique programme aimed at improving the production, dissemination and use of research information and results in health programme planning to ultimately improve population health. While WAHO’s experiences to date demonstrate how a regional health institution can integrate research promotion into the fight against maternal and infant mortality, the challenges the organisation has encountered also demonstrate the importance of cohesion among actors promoting such an initiative, the importance of leadership and commitment among member country actors steering the process, and the need for collaboration and coordination among all partners in member countries and in the region

Maintaining continuity of essential reproductive, maternal, neonatal, child and adolescent health services during the COVID-19 pandemic in Francophone West Africa

The study aimed to analyse the challenges and solutions for maintaining the continuity of essential health services during the COVID-19 pandemic in Francophone West Africa. A cross-sectional study involving the managers of Reproductive, Maternal, Neonatal, Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH) and vaccination programmes in Francophone West Africa was designed. The challenges that limited the supply and use of RMNCAH services included: lack of standardized guides and procedures for appropriate care, limited knowledge of health workers on the new coronavirus disease, lack of diagnostic materials and kits, ineffective organization of services, anxieties of health workers and populations, and postponement of immunisation mass campaigns. The solutions proposed to address these challenges, included better organization of services to respect the physical distance, provision of adapted guides and care procedures, enhanced communication, training of health workers, effective use of social media and information and communication technologies. This study showed that the managers of RMNCAH programmes are aware of the challenges that could limit the supply and use of essential services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Keywords: Maintenance; essential services; RMNCAH; COVID-19; Francophone West AfricaL'étude visait à analyser les défis et les solutions pour maintenir la continuité des services de santé essentiels pendant la pandémieCOVID-19 en Afrique de l'Ouest francophone. Une étude transversale impliquant les responsables des programmes de santé reproductive, maternelle, néonatale, infantile et des adolescents (SRMNIA) et de vaccination en Afrique de l'Ouest francophone aété conçue. Les défis qui ont limité l'offre et l'utilisation des services de SRMNIA comprenaient : le manque de guides et de procédures standardisés pour des soins appropriés, les connaissances limitées des travailleurs de la santé sur la nouvelle maladie à coronavirus, le  manque de matériel et de kits de diagnostic, l'organisation inefficace des services, l'anxiété des travailleurs de la santé et des  populations, et le report des campagnes de vaccination de masse. Les solutions proposées pour faire face à ces défis, comprenaient une meilleure organisation des services pour respecter la distance physique, la fourniture de guides et de procédures de soins adaptés, une communication renforcée, la formation des travailleurs de la santé, l'utilisation efficace des médias sociaux et des technologies de l'information et de la communication. Cette étude a montré que les responsables des programmes du SRMNIA sont conscients des défis qui pourraient limiter l'offre et l'utilisation des services essentiels pendant la pandémie COVID19. Mots-clés: Maintien, services essentiels, SRMNIA, COVID-19, Afrique de l'Ouest francophon