title: Pharmacy provision of sexual and reproductive health commodities to young people: a systematic literature review and synthesis of the evidence.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We conducted a systematic review of peer-reviewed literature on youth access to, use of and quality of care of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) commodities through pharmacies.
  
  
  METHODS
  Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) protocol, we searched for publications from 2000 to 2016. To be eligible for inclusion, articles had to address the experiences of young people (aged 25 years and below) accessing SRH commodities (e.g., contraception, abortifacients) via pharmacies. The heterogeneity of the studies precluded meta-analysis - instead, we conducted thematic analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 2842 titles were screened, and 49 met the inclusion criteria. Most (n=43) were from high-income countries, and 33 examined emergency hormonal contraception provision. Seventeen focused on experiences of pharmacy personnel in provision, while 28 assessed client experiences. Pharmacy provision of SRH commodities was appealing to and utilized by youth. Increasing access to SRH commodities for youth did not correspond to increases in risky sexual behavior. Both pharmacists and youth had reservations about the ease of access and its impact on sexual behaviors. In settings where regulations allowing pharmacy access were established, some pharmacy personnel created barriers to access or refused access entirely.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  With training and support, pharmacy personnel can serve as critical SRH resources to young people. Further research is needed to better understand how to capitalize on the potential of pharmacy provision of SRH commodities to young people without sacrificing qualities which make pharmacies so appealing to young people in the first place.
authors.affiliation: Department of Reproductive Health and Research including UNDP/UNFPA/UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP), World Health Organization, Avenue Appia 20, 1201, Geneva, Switzerland. Electronic address: gonsalvesl@who.int.
authors.forename: Lianne
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gonsalves
authors.affiliation: Department of Reproductive Health and Research including UNDP/UNFPA/UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP), World Health Organization, Avenue Appia 20, 1201, Geneva, Switzerland. Electronic address: hindinm@who.int.
authors.forename: Michelle J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Hindin
mesh_terms: D000019:Abortifacient Agents / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D000293:Adolescent; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003270:Contraceptive Agents / Q000600:supply & distribution; D003281:Contraceptives, Postcoital / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010594:Pharmacies; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D060728:Reproductive Health; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000019:Abortifacient Agents; D003270:Contraceptive Agents; D003281:Contraceptives, Postcoital; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic
keywords: Adolescent; Contraception; Pharmacy; Systematic review; Youth