Sexual and reproductive health knowledge among young people: a bibliometric analysis (1900 – 2019)

Abstract

Background: Adolescents and youth (young people) are central to the success of the 2030 agenda. Sexual and reproductive health (SRH) knowledge among young people is critical for their well-being. The objective study was to assess and analyze publications on SHR knowledge among young people. Method: This study was a bibliometric descriptive one for publications retrieved from Scopus on SHR knowledge among young people. All relevant terms on young people, SHR, and knowledge were implemented to retrieve relevant publications for the study period from 1900 to 2019. Results: The search found 2544 publications. Publication started on 1951. The number of publications showed two steep phases: one in mid-1980s and one after 2005. Four research themes were identified: human immunodeficiency virus (HIV); human papillomavirus (HPV), condom, and contraception with documents on HPV vaccinations being the most recent. The retrieved publications received an average of 10.9 citations per document and an h -index of 61. The top cited documents published before 2010 focused mainly on HIV, HPV, and condom use while those after 2010 focused on HIV testing technology, HIV prophylaxis and HPV vaccination. The retrieved documents originated mainly from the region of the Americas (n=944). When data were normalized, the South-Eastern Asian region had the highest research activity. At the country level, the USA ranked first (n=701; 27.6%) but when data was normalized, India (91.5 publication per GDP per capita) ranked first followed by Nigeria (53.0) and South Africa (17.9). Journal of Adolescent Health (n=39; 1.5%) ranked first but documents published in AIDS Education and Prevention journal received the highest number of citations per document (34.1). The University of California, San Francisco ranked first (n=33; 1.3%) in this field. The average number of authors per publication was 3.8. Research networking in this field was poor. Conclusion: This was the first analysis of publications on SRH knowledge among a category of people who are most often neglected in their SRH needs. Research on knowledge and awareness on this subject need to be carried out in all world regions to tailor sex education and health policies to the sociocultural and religious situation in each country.

Recommendations for removing access barriers to effective Sexual/Reproductive Health Services (SRHS) for young people in South East Nigeria: A systematic review

“…The knowledge about SRH among young people is of paramount importance to addressing health policies, and initiatives and developing evidence-based programs to address young people's needs [40]. However, the knowledge of SRH among young people is poor [41].…”

Global research mapping on reproductive health: a bibliometric visualisation analysis

“…Findings emphasise that maximum cited papers published before 2010 are largely dedicated on Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)/Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), whereas after 2010, cited trends was transformed to HIV testing technology, HIV prophylaxis and HPV vaccination. It was reported that Journal of Adolescent Health ranked on top in published number of publications, whereas the journal entitled AIDS Education and Prevention received maximum number of citations (Sweileh and Mansour, 2020). Baskaran et al explored bibliometric evaluation of male infertility, which is part of global health issues of RH.…”

“…Research collaboration can be measured through various bibliometric indicators (Shari et al , 2012). Sweileh and Mansour (2020) conducted bibliometric study on sexual and RH knowledge among young people. Findings emphasise that maximum cited papers published before 2010 are largely dedicated on Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)/Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), whereas after 2010, cited trends was transformed to HIV testing technology, HIV prophylaxis and HPV vaccination.…”