Demographic and epidemiological transitions and burden of adolescent healthcare in sub-Saharan Africa: A review

Afr J Reprod Health. 2023 Jul;27(7):109-126. doi: 10.29063/ajrh2023/v27i7.11.

Abstract

This review's main objective is to discuss how demographic and epidemiological transitions relate to the burden of adolescent healthcare in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The review explicitly discussed the burden of adolescent healthcare, the current African policies on adolescent healthcare, and gaps in the African policies compared with Europe and North America. We also examined how adolescent healthcare policies evolve and documented the recommended essential part of the policy for enhancing its sustainability. The burden of adolescent health is high in SSA with diseases and reproductive health-related problems prevailing among adolescents. However, variations exist in the burden of adolescent healthcare across countries in the region. While some SSA countries are currently undergoing demographic and epidemiological transition processes concerning adolescent health care, the majority are either at an early stage of the transition or yet to commence the process. Policy-makers should consider effective ways to improve adolescents' health in SSA through preventive mechanisms and a multi-dimensional approach.

Keywords: Demographic transition; adolescent healthcare; epidemiological transition; sub-Saharan Africa.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adolescent Health Services* / statistics & numerical data
  • Adolescent Health Services* / trends
  • Adolescent Health* / ethnology
  • Adolescent Health* / statistics & numerical data
  • Adolescent Health* / trends
  • Africa South of the Sahara / epidemiology
  • Black People / ethnology
  • Black People / statistics & numerical data
  • Cost of Illness
  • Health Facilities
  • Health Policy* / trends
  • Humans
  • Reproductive Health* / ethnology
  • Reproductive Health* / statistics & numerical data
  • Reproductive Health* / trends
  • Sub-Saharan African People* / statistics & numerical data