Reproductive health risks of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in humanitarian settings of Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Over 70% of women and girls face heightened risks of sexual and reproductive health in conflict zones where reproductive health care is often neglected. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to estimate the epidemiological evidences of reproductive health risks of internal migrants in Ethiopia.

Methods: Different data bases (CINHAL, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Scopus, Google scholar and PubMed central) were accessed. Observational Studies conducted in English language were included as per the predetermined inclusion criteria. Meta-analysis of the prevalence of reproductive health risks was determined using a random effects model. PRISMA and Systematic Review Guidelines from the Center for Reviews and Dissemination recommendation were followed in the review. Random effect model with I² statistics and sensitivity testing was performed.

Results: We found 324 studies on the databases searched and only eleven studies with 9976 individuals met the criteria of inclusion. The overall pooled magnitude of reproductive health risks in this study is 45.8% (95% CI: 35.6, 56.1). Nearly half of the studies were conducted in Amhara region. Gender based violence is the most frequently reported reproductive health risk. Premarital sex, early marriage and unmet need for contraceptives, abortion, sexually transmitted infections and unwanted pregnancy were reported.

Conclusion and recommendation: Reproductive health risks among Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) are frequent in all age groups of women, adolescent girls and boys. However, limited number of primary evidences is found to be the major bottleneck to summarize this review. Therefore, the government, non-governmental organizations and researchers with any responsible stockholders should give an appropriate attention to have precise and tangible data on the burden, extent of the problems and survivor population in need of sexual and reproductive health services.