Mapping the evidence on digital interventions to improve postpartum contraceptive uptake among adolescent mothers: a...

Adolescent mothers are at increased risk of rapid repeat pregnancy during the postpartum period, particularly in low-and middle-income countries where unmet need for contraception remains high. Stigma, limited autonomy and inadequate youth-friendly services contribute to low uptake of postpartum contraception. Digital health interventions have been proposed as scalable approaches to improve access to contraceptive information and support. However, evidence specifically focusing on digital interventions to enhance postpartum contraception among adolescent mothers has not yet been comprehensively mapped. This scoping review aims to identify and describe the available evidence in this area.

This review will follow the Arksey and O'Malley framework, with refinements by Levac et al and guidance from the Joanna Briggs Institute. Reporting will adhere to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews guidelines. MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus and Web of Science along with relevant grey literature sources will be searched. Studies involving adolescent mothers (10-19 years) within 12 months after childbirth and evaluating digital interventions for postpartum contraception will be included. Two reviewers will independently screen and extract data using a standardised charting form. Findings will be synthesised descriptively to map intervention types, outcomes and research gaps. No formal quality appraisal will be undertaken.

Ethical approval is not required. Findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publication, conference presentations and engagement with relevant stakeholders to inform research, policy and programme development.