Adolescents living in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are struggling with accessing sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services, and COVID-19 has escalated the problem. The purpose of this review was to identify and assess the existing literature on the impact of the pandemic on SRH needs and access to services by adolescents in LMICs. A scoping review was conducted to collate findings on the topic. Searches were performed on eight databases. Data were extracted and categorized into various themes. After removing duplicates and performing a full-text reading of all articles, nine articles were included in our review. Our findings generated several themes related to adolescents’ sexual and reproductive health during the COVID-19 pandemic. These include (1) limited access to sexual and reproductive health services, (2) school closure and increased rate of early marriages, (3) sexual or intimate partner violence during COVID-19, (4) disruption in maternity care, (5) adolescents’ involvement in risky or exploitative work, (6) intervention to improve sexual and reproductive health services during COVID-19, and (7) policy development related to adolescent sexual and reproductive health. Several recommendations were made on policies—for instance, the use of telemedicine and community-based programs as a way to deliver SRH services to adolescents during and after a pandemic.

Adolescent access to quality sexual and reproductive health and rights has been a major issue in most low- to middle-income countries (LMICs). This systematic review aims to identify the relevant community and school-based interventions that can be implemented in LMICs to promote adolescents’ sexual and reproductive health and rights. We identified 54 studies, and our review findings suggested that educational interventions, financial incentives, and comprehensive post-abortion family planning services were effective in increasing their knowledge and use of Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (ASRHR) services, such as contraception, which led to a decrease in unwanted pregnancies. However, we found inconclusive and limited evidence on the effectiveness of interventions for improved violence prevention and adolescent behavior towards safe sexual practices. More rigorous studies with long-term follow-ups are needed to assess the effectiveness of such interventions.

Background: Immigrants constitute 30% of Canada’s older adult population. Immigrant older adults have low levels of physical activity coupled with higher risks for cardiovascular disease and obesity in some sub-populations. Community group-based physical activity programs combine both physical and social benefits and are well received by older adults. These programs often lack sensitivity to the needs of equity-deserving groups, such as immigrants, who continue to experience lower levels of participation. Local, accessible, and culturally informed approaches are required to remedy these well documented inequities in who has access to and benefits from such programs. There is a gap, however, in our understanding of the characteristics and conditions for effective program design and delivery when the target population is immigrant older adults.Methods: The aim of this equity-focused realist review is to develop a programme theory that explains how, why, for whom, and under which circumstances community group-based physical activity programs work when delivered to older immigrants. We will first articulate an initial programme theory that explains tentatively how, why and for whom such programs work and then test and refine the programme theory using a systematic realist review process. The initial programme theory will draw from existing theories that inform group-based physical activity programs for older adults, intersectional theory, and stakeholder insights. PROGRESS-Plus factors will be explored in relation to relevance and impact for physical activity interventions. Stakeholders will include service providers, community volunteers and leaders who have extensive knowledge and interactions with immigrant communities. The initial programme theory will then be tested and refined using a systematic process of searching, retrieving, and reviewing literature on physical activity in immigrant populations. The final programme theory will be validated using stakeholder input and the research team’s expertise in aging, health equity, and physical activity. Discussion: Physical activity improves the wellbeing of older adults, decreases frailty, and supports aging in place. Ensuring that all older adults can participate in such programs entails understanding what works for whom, when and under which circumstances. This review will provide recommendations on best practices to support immigrant older adults’ participation in group-based physical activity programs.Systematic review registration: The protocol has been submitted to PROSPERO for registration (ID#258179, Date submitted May 30^th, 2021.

Adolescent’s access to quality Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights interventions has been a major issue in most of the low- to middle-income countries (LMICs) across the globe. This systematic review aims to identify the relevant community and school-based interventions that can be implemented in -LMICs to promote adolescent’s sexual and reproductive health and rights outcomes. We identified 54 studies and our review findings suggest that Adolescent’s Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (ASRHR) educational interventions, provision of financial incentives, and provision of comprehensive -post-abortion family planning services are effective in increasing adolescent’s knowledge on ASRHR, attitude towards ASRHR, uptake of ASRHR services, contraception and decreased unwanted pregnancy rates among young women. However, we found inconclusive and limited evidence on the effectiveness of the interventions to improve violence prevention and adolescent behaviors towards safe sexual practices. More rigorous studies with long-term follow-ups are needed to assess the effectiveness of such interventions.