The health and wellbeing of young people in sub-Saharan Africa: an under-researched area?

A third of sub-Saharan Africa’s population comprises persons aged 10–24 years

From:: Department for International Development
Published: 1 January 2013

Document Type:: Journal Article
Theme:: Health
Authors:: Izugbara, C.O., Kabiru, C.W., Beguy, D.

Abstract

A third of sub-Saharan Africa’s population comprises persons aged 10–24 years. These youth are growing up in a context marked by pervasive poverty, limited educational opportunities, high HIV/AIDS prevalence, widespread conflict, and weak social controls. Published research on the broad issues that affect youth health and wellbeing in sub-Saharan Africa is limited and centers heavily on sexual and reproductive health. In this commentary, the authors provide a broad overview of sub-Saharan African youth, highlight research gaps with respect to youth health and wellbeing, and describe potential avenues to develop the region’s research capacity on youth health and wellbeing.

This research is funded under the Department for International Development’s Strengthening Evidence for Programming on Unintended Pregnancy (STEP UP) which is led by the Population Council

Citation

Kabiru, C.W.; Izugbara, C.O.; Beguy, D. The health and wellbeing of young people in sub-Saharan Africa: an under-researched area? BMC International Health and Human Rights (2013) 13 (1) 11. [DOI: 10.1186/1472-698X-13-11]