Umbrella review maps violence and reproductive health outcomes in Ethiopian girls and women

An umbrella review of nine systematic reviews and meta-analyses found that selected adverse sexual and reproductive health outcomes and gender-based violence were frequently reported among adolescent girls and young women in Ethiopia. Prevalence estimates for the selected adverse sexual and reproductive health outcomes ranged from 24.7% to 42.8%, while reported prevalence of gender-based violence ranged from 41.15% to 56.34%. Quantitative synthesis placed the pooled prevalence of gender-based violence at 48.0%, with a 95% confidence interval of 43.0% to 53.0%, although the combined estimate showed very high heterogeneity, with an I² value of 99.6%.

The researchers searched PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Science Direct, PsycINFO, EMBASE, Web of Science, the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, CINAHL, and Google Scholar for systematic reviews and meta-analyses published from January 2017 through October 28, 2025. Eligible reviews were appraised with AMSTAR, and overlap among the primary studies was assessed using the corrected covered area, or CCA. A CCA of 2.5% indicated slight overlap among the reviews. Because the ASRH evidence was not sufficiently comparable for a single quantitative estimate, it was synthesized narratively, while quantitative synthesis was conducted for gender-based violence and selected associated factors when comparable estimates were available.

Three factors were associated with higher odds of reported gender-based violence in the included evidence. Alcohol consumption was associated with an adjusted odds ratio of 3.57, with a 95% confidence interval of 2.03 to 6.01. Khat chewing had an adjusted odds ratio of 4.65, with a 95% confidence interval of 1.47 to 7.84, while previous sexual intercourse was associated with an adjusted odds ratio of 4.17, with a 95% confidence interval of 1.74 to 10.08. These findings describe statistical associations in the underlying studies; the umbrella review did not establish that the three factors caused gender-based violence.

The review covered evidence concerning adolescent girls and young women in Ethiopia, but the authors warned against treating the pooled percentage as a uniform national estimate. The evidence included differences in populations and outcome definitions, reliance on observational studies and some overlap among primary studies, all of which constrain interpretation of the combined result. More representative studies using standardized definitions and measurement approaches were identified as necessary. The review consolidates prevalence estimates and reported associations from previously published systematic reviews and meta-analyses; it does not establish a change over time or test the effects of prevention measures.

Subject of Research: Prevalence of selected adverse sexual and reproductive health outcomes and gender-based violence among adolescent girls and young women in Ethiopia

Article Title: Prevalence and associated factors of selected adverse sexual and reproductive health outcomes and gender-based violence among adolescent girls and young women in Ethiopia: an umbrella review

Article References: Geltore, T. E., Angelo, A. T., Anshebo, A. A., Foto, L. L., & Bekele, M. (2026). Prevalence and associated factors of selected adverse sexual and reproductive health outcomes and gender-based violence among adolescent girls and young women in Ethiopia: an umbrella review. BMC Public Health. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-026-29963-w

Image Credits: AI Generated

DOI: 10.1186/s12889-026-29963-w

Keywords: Ethiopia, adolescent girls, young women, gender-based violence, sexual health, reproductive health, umbrella review, systematic reviews, prevalence, associated factors, associated, factors