Examining sexual and reproductive health self-care interventions in Ghana – a scoping review.

IntroductionGhana is progressively adopting sexual and reproductive health self-care interventions to advance universal health coverage; however, comprehensive evidence on their types and outcomes remains lacking. This review aimed to compile existing evidence on the various sexual and reproductive health self-care models in Ghana using the RE-AIM framework.Materials and MethodsA scoping review was conducted in July 2024, following the JBI Manual for Evidence Synthesis. The review included peer-reviewed articles and program evaluation reports sourced from PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science, along with grey literature from local organizations. Data extraction was guided by the RE-AIM framework, facilitating a structured and practical analysis of the studies. To ensure accuracy and rigor, two independent reviewers systematically compiled and assessed all collected evidence.ResultsA total of 312 studies were found, but 31 were included in the study based on the eligibility criteria. Self-care interventions were implemented in seven (7) SRHR domain areas, including included abortion (n=4, 13%), cervical cancer (n=2, 6%), family planning (n=3, 10%), general SRHR (n=3, 10%), HIV (n=6, 19%), maternal and child health (n=10, 32%), and STI (n=3, 10%). Regarding adherence to RE-AIM dimensions, all the studies reported on at least one dimension, and only 16% reported on all five dimensions. The scores for the individual dimensions were: reach (90%), effectiveness (87%), implementation (65%), adoption (61%), and maintenance (26%). Most interventions (n=20, 65%) were designed with demand and supply components. Additionally, most interventions primarily targeted women, with few addressing the needs of men. Contrary to common stereotypes suggesting that self-care innovations may struggle in developing contexts, our study demonstrated their effectiveness and adaptability, showing that these interventions can be successfully implemented across diverse local settings.ConclusionOur review showed that reproductive health self-care interventions are relevant and effective, but they require continued investment, enhanced coordination, and innovative integration into national systems to achieve significant large-scale impact.