Background:

Preconception period allows for exploration and intervention of how women’s health conditions could affect the mother and newborn’s health, once she becomes pregnant. Limited studies have been conducted on adolescents and young adults, and relatively little is known about the factors underlying the continued increase in adverse outcomes. This period offers an excellent opportunity to identify several health risks and prevent adverse outcomes through designing preventive health interventions that promote maternal and child health.

Objective:

To identify and map the gaps in existing evidence on preconception health interventions to improve the health and well-being of adolescents and young adults (aged 10-<25 years) and their children.

Method :Evidence gap map activity was conducted including relevant literature on the preconception health interventions for adolescents and young adults. We searched online databases such as Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library, and CINAHL, which was followed by title/abstract and full-text screening, quality assessment, and data extraction of all the relevant published systematic reviews and experimental studies. All included studies were coded based on study design, population, setting, intervention, delivery platforms, and outcomes using EPPI-Reviewer software. A graphical map was developed on EPPI-Mapper software based on preconception health interventions and outcomes.

Results:

We included 22 studies(134 papers) of which the majority of the studies were from upper-middle-income countries and higher-income countries, with limited evidence from low-middle-income countries(LMICs). Studies were more focused on females with very limited evidence on men. The impact of HPV vaccination on perinatal and maternal outcomes was found to be a well-evidenced area, while gaps in evidence were found on interventions to prevent sexually transmitted diseases, alcohol/ tobacco use, sexual abuse, poor nutrition, mental health, and improved oral health. The overall quality of systematic reviews was moderate, while trials had some concerns.

Conclusions:

This study emphasizes the necessity for implementing targeted interventions for individuals in LMICs and humanitarian settings. It proposes policy implications aimed at advancing preventative preconception health interventions, which not only enhance the well-being of adolescents but also carry enduring benefits for their overall health trajectory. It contributes to achieving SDG 3 by fostering healthy lives and promoting well-being for all, across all age groups.