Addressing Gender Disparities in Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health: A Scoping Review of Life Skills-Based Education in Pakistan
Objective: Adolescents in Pakistan face significant health risks due to factors such as sexual violence, forced marriages, and limited access to reproductive health education. Life Skills-Based Education (LSBE) and Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) have been explored as strategies to enhance...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
University of Lahore
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Journal of University College of Medicine and Dentistry |
| Online Access: | https://journals.uol.edu.pk/jucmd/article/view/3657 |
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| Summary: | Objective: Adolescents in Pakistan face significant health risks due to factors such as sexual violence, forced marriages, and limited access to reproductive health education. Life Skills-Based Education (LSBE) and Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) have been explored as strategies to enhance awareness and improve reproductive health outcomes. This scoping review examines existing research on LSBE programs in Pakistan, with a focus on gender disparities in their implementation and impact.
Methodology: A systematic search was conducted across PubMed, Medline, Google Scholar, Web of Science, PakMediNet, and Popline for randomized, quasi-randomized trials, and evaluation studies on LSBE programs published in the past two decades. Studies included were those conducted in schools or communities to improve adolescents' life skills and reproductive health knowledge. Two independent reviewers assessed the papers to minimize bias. Given the limited availability of peer-reviewed studies (only three articles), relevant non-peer-reviewed literature was also incorporated into the final analysis.
Results: Six studies met the inclusion criteria, consisting of research articles and NGO reports evaluating LSBE programs. These programs were associated with increased confidence, higher school attendance—especially among girls—and improved awareness of reproductive health rights. However, most interventions primarily targeted female adolescents, with limited focus on addressing the needs of boys, highlighting a gender disparity in program outreach.
Conclusion: While LSBE programs in Pakistan have demonstrated positive effects, the existing data is insufficient to conclusively determine their effectiveness in improving adolescent health outcomes. More rigorous research, including controlled experimental studies with reliable assessment tools, is needed to evaluate the impact of LSBE and CSE. Additionally, addressing the gender imbalance in program implementation is crucial to ensure equitable access to reproductive health education for all adolescents.
Keywords: Adolescent reproductive health, Gender disparities, Comprehensive sexuality education, Family life education, Life skills-based education.
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| ISSN: | 2790-3443 2790-3451 |