Geographic Patterns of Adolescent Pregnancy in Africa: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis (PubMed).

Abstract This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to analyze the geographic patterns of adolescent pregnancy in Africa. Specifically, it will estimate the pooled prevalence of adolescent pregnancy overall and according to age groups, particularly 10–14 and 15–19 years; examine its geographic distribution across African countries and regions; and investigate its relationship with levels of human development. The review will also assess geographic inequalities in adolescent pregnancy and map the territorial distribution of the available scientific evidence. By comparing the geographic distribution of studies with the occurrence of adolescent pregnancy, the review will investigate whether research is concentrated in territories with higher levels of human development and identify areas characterized by a high occurrence of adolescent pregnancy but limited scientific evidence. The findings will provide an integrated perspective on the burden, geographic distribution, territorial inequalities, and research gaps related to adolescent pregnancy across Africa.