Stephanie Psaki|Erica K. Chuang|Andrea Melnikas|David B. Wilson|Barbara Mensch
Causal effects of education on sexual and reproductive health in low and middle-income countries: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Population Council|Population Council|Population Council|George Mason University|Population Council
despite strong theoretical grounding important gaps knowledge remain regarding degree causal relationship education sexual reproductive health many claims made based associations alone understanding extent relationships causal important inform investments education health well understand mechanisms underlying relationshipswe conducted systematic review evidence causal link education sexual reproductive health srh low middleincome countries education indicators included exposure formal schooling learning srh outcomes included age first sex age first marriage age first pregnancybirth contraceptive use fertility hiv status sexually transmitted infections possible also conducted metaanalyses estimate mean effects outcome understand sources variation studieswe identified 35 papers met inclusion criteria although many studies report evidence causal relationship education one srh outcomes estimated effects often small magnitude metaanalyses reveal mostly null mean effects exception small effects increased grade attainment lower fertility hiv positive status also found inconsistent evidence supporting mechanisms linking education srhthis review demonstrates although investments schooling may positive ripple effects sexual reproductive health circumstances effects may large consistent expected understanding circumstances schooling likely improve srh remains somewhat limited accurate picture whether improvements education lead better health outcomes essential achievement global development goals