Effect of Social Media on Adolescent and Youth Sexual Behavior in Sub-Saharan African Countries: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
1
Public Health, Department of Public Health, College of Health Science and Referral Hospital, Ambo University, Ambo, Ethiopia, Ambo, Ethiopia
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
In the digital era, social media has become an integral part of young people’s lives. But there is no review on the pooled effect of social media use on adolescent and youth sexual behavior. Therefore, a systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to estimate the effect of social media use on adolescents' and youths' sexual behavior in sub-Saharan African countries.
METHODS:
We conducted systematic reviews following PRISMA guidelines. We accessed databases such as PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and others from 30 May to 1 July 2025. After data extraction, quality assessment was checked using the new version of the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. We reviewed fifteen records, which were further segregated into twenty-five studies for analysis. A random-effects model was employed using STATA-17. We checked heterogeneity using Tau squared, Cochran's Q-test, and I-squared. Visually we used the forest plot and statistically Egger’s test to check publication bias. Sensitivity analyses were done using subgroup analysis, Galbraith plots, and trim-and-fill. The review protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD420251063321) on 05 June 2025. Result and
CONCLUSIONS:
The pooled random effect of social media utilization on adolescent and youth risky sexual behavior in Sub-Saharan African countries was 1.71 (1.50–1.94). The odds of risky sexual behavior among adolescents and youth who use social media were 1.71 times higher compared to their counterparts. The Tau² and I² values were 0.057 and 65.9% (24.4%-87.7%), respectively, which clearly indicates that there was significant variation among the studies. The overall heterogeneity test, Cochran’s Q test, had a value of 70.44. The funnel plot and the Egger’s test showed there was statistically significant publication bias (p-value=0.027). Social media utilization adversely impacts adolescents’ sexual behavior. Family, governmental, and non-governmental sectors should give due attention to social media utilization. A clear policy on social media use by the young is due.
In the digital era, social media has become an integral part of young people’s lives. But there is no review on the pooled effect of social media use on adolescent and youth sexual behavior. Therefore, a systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to estimate the effect of social media use on adolescents' and youths' sexual behavior in sub-Saharan African countries.
METHODS:
We conducted systematic reviews following PRISMA guidelines. We accessed databases such as PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and others from 30 May to 1 July 2025. After data extraction, quality assessment was checked using the new version of the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. We reviewed fifteen records, which were further segregated into twenty-five studies for analysis. A random-effects model was employed using STATA-17. We checked heterogeneity using Tau squared, Cochran's Q-test, and I-squared. Visually we used the forest plot and statistically Egger’s test to check publication bias. Sensitivity analyses were done using subgroup analysis, Galbraith plots, and trim-and-fill. The review protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD420251063321) on 05 June 2025. Result and
CONCLUSIONS:
The pooled random effect of social media utilization on adolescent and youth risky sexual behavior in Sub-Saharan African countries was 1.71 (1.50–1.94). The odds of risky sexual behavior among adolescents and youth who use social media were 1.71 times higher compared to their counterparts. The Tau² and I² values were 0.057 and 65.9% (24.4%-87.7%), respectively, which clearly indicates that there was significant variation among the studies. The overall heterogeneity test, Cochran’s Q test, had a value of 70.44. The funnel plot and the Egger’s test showed there was statistically significant publication bias (p-value=0.027). Social media utilization adversely impacts adolescents’ sexual behavior. Family, governmental, and non-governmental sectors should give due attention to social media utilization. A clear policy on social media use by the young is due.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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