Teen pregnancy involvement among African, Caribbean and Black adolescent boys and girls: A scoping review.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to investigate the incidence, associated factors and interventions to address teen pregnancy involvement (TPI) among African, Caribbean and Black (ACB) adolescents in North America. DESIGN: We conducted a scoping review of the literature, guided by the social-ecological model. DATA SOURCES: Studies were retrieved from databases such as Ovid Medline, Ovid Embase, CINAHL, CAB Direct and Google Scholar and imported into COVIDENCE for screening. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: The Joanna Briggs Institute scoping reviews protocol guided the establishment of eligibility criteria. Included studies focused on rates, associated factors and interventions related to TPI among ACB boys and girls aged 10-19 in North America. The publication time frame was restricted to 2010-2023, encompassing both peer-reviewed and non-peer-reviewed studies with diverse settings. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS: Data were extracted from 32 articles using a form developed by the principal author, focusing on variables aligned with the research question. RESULTS: The scoping review revealed a dearth of knowledge in Canadian and other North American literature on TPI in ACB adolescents. Despite an overall decline in teen pregnancy rates, disparities persist, with interventions such as postpartum prescription of long-acting birth control and teen mentorship programmes proving effective. CONCLUSION: The findings highlight the need for increased awareness, research and recognition of male involvement in adolescent pregnancies. Addressing gaps in housing, employment, healthcare, sexual health education and health systems policies for marginalised populations is crucial to mitigating TPI among ACB adolescents. IMPACT: The review underscores the urgent need for more knowledge from other North American countries, particularly those with growing ACB migrant populations.

Teen pregnancy involvement among African, Caribbean and Black adolescent boys and girls: a scoping review protocol.

INTRODUCTION: African, Caribbean and Black (ACB) adolescents are disproportionately affected by teen pregnancy in North America. Teen pregnancy poses risks to the quality of life of adolescent boys and girls, including physical, psychosocial and socioeconomic risks. Our review aims to explore this public health concern for ACB adolescents within North America. We aim to identify and analyse available evidence on the incidence and prevalence of, associated factors of and interventions to curtail teen pregnancy involvement (TPI) among ACB adolescent boys and girls in North America. This review will explore TPI, rather than teen pregnancy, to ensure a review of men' involvement in teen pregnancy outcomes. METHODS AND ANALYSES: Health literature databases such as CINAHL, OVID (Medline and Embase) and CAB direct. Searches will be conducted for evidence published from 2001 to October 2021. Search results will be exported to Covidence for subsequent steps of the review. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Review guidelines will be used to ensure reproducibility and transparency. We will include all study designs focused on ACB boys and girls between 10 and 19 years old, residing in North America. Studies with a mixed racial sample will be included if sample consists of greater than 50% ACB individuals. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: TPI is a public health concern with socioeconomic and health consequences for ACB teens in North America. A scoping review such as this will provide direction for healthcare practice, policy changes, education and further research in reducing the incidence of TPI in North America. Study results will be disseminated via presentations at conferences, at target populations, communities and organisations and publications via peer-reviewed journals. As knowledge generated from this scoping review will stem from previously published evidence, an ethical approval is not needed.