INNOVATIVE EDUCATIONAL MEDIA FOR IMPROVING ADOLESCENT REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH KNOWLEDGE : A LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

Adolescent reproductive health knowledge is essential for informed decision-making regarding puberty, menstruation, contraception, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). This literature review aimed to synthesize evidence on educational media used to improve reproductive health knowledge among adolescents. A structured search was conducted in PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar for studies published between January 1, 2020, and October 19, 2026. Of the 86 records identified, 44 came from PubMed, 36 from ScienceDirect, and 6 from Google Scholar. Nineteen reports underwent full-text eligibility assessment. Three were excluded for being outside the review scope, leaving 16 primary studies for synthesis. The included studies evaluated messaging platforms, mobile applications, short message service (SMS), animated videos, interactive electronic modules, social media, web-based interventions, and blended educational approaches. Several studies reported improvements in short-term knowledge outcomes, although comparative effectiveness varied across interventions and comparators. A digital menstrual hygiene intervention reported a difference-in-differences estimate of 12.5 points (95% confidence interval [CI], 10.2–14.7; p < 0.001), whereas the HEROIC application did not demonstrate a statistically significant advantage over a printed booklet. Interpretation of the findings is limited by heterogeneity in study designs, knowledge measurement instruments, follow-up periods, and intervention components. Overall, educational media represent potentially useful complements to school- and community-based reproductive health education, but the available evidence does not establish the superiority of a single format. Further comparative studies using validated knowledge measures and longer follow-up periods are needed to determine the sustainability of knowledge gains and their relationship with subsequent health behaviors.’