Mapping the evidence on interventions for addressing teenage pregnancy: a scoping review of systematic reviews protocol.

Abstract

Teenage pregnancy is a significant global public health challenge with far-reaching consequences for young mothers, their children, families and society at large. Yet, the evidence synthesis landscape in teenage pregnancy prevention remains fragmented, with systematic reviews typically examining specific intervention types, target populations or geographical settings in isolation. This protocol outlines a scoping review to map and describe the extent, range and nature of existing systematic review evidence on interventions aimed at addressing teenage pregnancy. We will conduct a comprehensive search of multiple databases, including PubMed Central, Embase, CINAHL and ProQuest Central, systematic review repositories and grey literature sources from inception to date. Two reviewers will independently screen titles, abstracts and full-text articles using predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria, with disagreements resolved through discussion or third-party adjudication. Data will be extracted using a standardised form and synthesised narratively, with results presented descriptively, as no meta-analysis is planned for this scoping review. This review does not require ethical approval, as only published data will be analysed. Results will be shared using peer-reviewed publications. Data sets emerging from the study will be made available on the Open Science Framework. This review was initially registered on the Open Science Framework (https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/F2AH7) in July 2025. The protocol will be updated and re-registered after incorporating feedback from the journal's peer review process.