Information Needs of Immigrant Youth to Access Sexual and Reproductive Health Services in Canada: A Scoping Review
Abstract
Immigrant youth make up a substantial proportion of newcomers to Canada. Despite the importance of immigrant youth in Canadian society, there is a scarcity of research on sexual and reproductive health (SRH) needs and access to SRH services
by immigrant youth in the country. This scoping review explores the information needs of immigrant youth related to their experiences to access SRH services in Canada. This review was guided by Arksey and O’Malley’s five stages for conducting a scoping
review. A comprehensive search of three databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library) was completed. Articles were screened on COVIDENCE according to pre-established inclusion criteria. Articles were included in the review if they (1) examined information needs of immigrant youth to access SRH services, (2) were Canadian studies, (3) were written in English, and (4) were published from January 1990 onward. Out of 580 articles retrieved, 13 articles met the inclusion criteria. The findings from this review revealed that immigrant youth experience significant barriers to accessing SRH services in Canada including knowledge gaps and a lack of awareness. Education and awareness are a top priority in addressing the information needs of immigrant youth as well as improving the accessibility and affordability of services including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and sexual transmitted infection (STI) screening and more affordable contraceptive services.
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