A Scoping Review of Sexual and Reproductive Health Interventions With Youth in U.S. Juvenile Facilities.

Abstract

Youth placed in U.S. juvenile detention facilities face multilevel barriers that contribute to disparate sexual and reproductive health (SRH) outcomes when compared to their peers in the general adolescent population. Minimal information is available about evidence-based interventions that have been effective in changing these outcomes. The aim of this scoping review was to focus on the current state of SRH and identify recommendations for SRH care. Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses for scoping reviews guidelines, we searched electronic databases for publications published through March 2024. The search terms were designed to find intervention studies focusing on SRH in U.S. juvenile detention facilities. Eighteen articles were identified, all of which found some combination of positive results. While some intervention content focused on SRH knowledge and attitudes, the majority of studies had sexual risk behaviors in combination with sexually transmitted infections, substance use, or partner violence as their focus. The minimal number of research interventions focused on the structurally vulnerable population of youth in detention facilities across the United States underscores a significant gap in the existing literature, with negative health outcomes for juveniles in detention facilities.