Improving access to sexual and reproductive health services for boys and young men: a systematic review
1
Department of epidemiology and global health, Umeå University, umeå, Sweden
2
School of Public Health Sciences, University of, Waterloo, Canada
3
Health Research Institute, University of Canberra, Canberra, Australia
4
Department of Public Health, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Adolescent boys and young men (ABYM) face heightened sexual and reproductive health (SRH) risks yet remain underserved by existing health systems.
METHODS:
This systematic review synthesized evidence from 32 studies published between 2000 and 2024 that evaluated interventions to improve ABYM’s access to SRH services globally. Guided by the ecological framework of healthcare access, interventions were categorized across five levels – individual, healthcare encounter, organizational, community, and policy – and assessed against the dimensions of approachability, acceptability, adequacy, affordability, and quality.
RESULTS:
Findings reveal that successful interventions combined multiple strategies, including peer-led education, male-friendly service redesign, digital platforms, and community mobilization. Key determinants of effectiveness included confidentiality, gender-responsive provider training, integrated referral systems, and culturally aligned programming. Conversely, programs that lacked male-specific components, relied solely on digital tools, or failed to address stigma and gender norms demonstrated limited impact. Persistent challenges include deep-rooted cultural expectations, insufficient institutional capacity, inadequate male-oriented training, and underrepresentation of low-income contexts in the evidence base.
CONCLUSIONS:
The review highlights the need for coordinated, gender-transformative approaches that span individual, organizational, and policy domains. Expanding male-centered strategies within inclusive health systems offers the strongest pathway toward equitable, sustainable SRH access for ABYM
Adolescent boys and young men (ABYM) face heightened sexual and reproductive health (SRH) risks yet remain underserved by existing health systems.
METHODS:
This systematic review synthesized evidence from 32 studies published between 2000 and 2024 that evaluated interventions to improve ABYM’s access to SRH services globally. Guided by the ecological framework of healthcare access, interventions were categorized across five levels – individual, healthcare encounter, organizational, community, and policy – and assessed against the dimensions of approachability, acceptability, adequacy, affordability, and quality.
RESULTS:
Findings reveal that successful interventions combined multiple strategies, including peer-led education, male-friendly service redesign, digital platforms, and community mobilization. Key determinants of effectiveness included confidentiality, gender-responsive provider training, integrated referral systems, and culturally aligned programming. Conversely, programs that lacked male-specific components, relied solely on digital tools, or failed to address stigma and gender norms demonstrated limited impact. Persistent challenges include deep-rooted cultural expectations, insufficient institutional capacity, inadequate male-oriented training, and underrepresentation of low-income contexts in the evidence base.
CONCLUSIONS:
The review highlights the need for coordinated, gender-transformative approaches that span individual, organizational, and policy domains. Expanding male-centered strategies within inclusive health systems offers the strongest pathway toward equitable, sustainable SRH access for ABYM
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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