Provision and Access to Nutrition Information among Teenage Mothers in Africa: A Systematic Review

Background provision and access to quality nutrition information is a vital ingredient for improving the health outcomes of teenage mothers and their children. However, teenage mothers in Africa face various challenges in accessing and utilizing such information due to socio-economic and cultural barriers. Methods The systematic review synthesized the existing literature in relation to the provision and access of nutrition information among teenage mothers in Africa. Guided by PRISMA standards, the review identified relevant peer-reviewed articles published between 2018 and 2024 from databases such as PubMed, Wiley and Google scholar. Results The findings revealed that teenage mothers often have limited access to nutrition information. Emphasising that, even when the information is available, its access and use is constrained by factors such as low literacy levels, poverty, weak health systems, cultural misconceptions, misinformation, and lack of communication channels tailored to young people. Conclusion The review underscores an urgent need for nutrition information dissemination strategies that are both youth-friendly and culturally appropriate to enhance information provision, access and use. Strengthening and integration of youth friendly health services, supporting further research, and employing peer educators and community health workers can significantly enhance provision, access and use of nutrition information among teenage mothers.