Health Education Interventions for Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention: A Scoping Review

Doctoral Programme of Public Health, Public Health Faculty, Diponegoro University, Semarang, Central Java, Indonesia

^* Corresponding author: elie_freeday@gmail.com

Abstract

UNICEF (2023) reports that 13% of adolescent girls give birth before the age of 18, while the WHO records approximately 21 million adolescent pregnancies per year, with 5.6 million miscarriages and 3.9 million in unsafe conditions due to early sexual activity. In Africa, adolescent girls aged 15-19 years are at high risk of complications such as preeclampsia, prematurity, and low birth weight (LBW), which is the second leading cause of death. This study aims to identify educational intervention models in preventing teenage pregnancy through a scoping review method using Arksey & O'Malley and PRISMA 2020 guidelines. A literature search from 2020 to 2024 in five major databases (Scopus, Science Direct, Springer Link, PubMed, and Google Scholar) yielded 17 articles matching the key inclusion criteria. The analysis found four effective intervention models: (1) Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) integrated with Adolescent Reproductive Health (RHR) services, (2) Problem-Based Learning to improve safe sex skills, (3) Digital apps for access to RHR information, and (4) Hybrid interventions combining economic support and community dialogue. The success of the interventions was determined by skills strengthening, participatory approaches, and adjustments to cultural and social values. This study recommends multisectoral collaboration and youth empowerment through reproductive health clubs to strengthen teenage pregnancy prevention programmes.