Women's Health World Conference 2026

Abstract

This scoping review examined the biopsychosocial impacts of studies exploring the interrelationship between sexual reproductive health (SRH) and mental health (MH) in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Inclusion criteria were 1) articles exploring the interrelationship between SRH and MH in LMICs, 2) including qualitative and quantitative research, and 3) peer-reviewed literature published between 2015 and 2025.  Studies were identified from comprehensive searches of PubMed, EBSCOhost, ProQuest, Taylor & Francis and Google Scholar. The review included 29 papers out of 2601 articles screened. Of the 140 LMIC countries, only 18 countries (12.8%) were represented in the included studies. The SHR concerns represented were risky sexual behaviours, HIV, sexually transmitted infections, infertility, unwanted or unplanned pregnancies, sexual dysfunction, intimate partner violence, menopause, childbirth-related morbidity conditions such as dyspareunia, urinary or anal incontinence, and perineal pain. While the MH concerns represented were mental illness, severe mental illness, depression, anxiety, stress, suicidal thoughts, psychotic disorders, mental, neurological, and substance use disorders. Included studies had multiple focus areas grouped by frequency of themes into categories of maternal health, male issues, HIV, STIs, risky sexual behaviour, intimate partner violence, gender-based violence, and reproductive coercion abuse. There is limited research exploring the interrelationship between SRH and MH in LMICs. Secondly, there are limited studies that explore, the biopsychosocial impacts and include intervention strategies, of SRH and MH in LMICs. Thirdly, this review highlights the need for study diversity in SRH health concerns that are currently prioritised, including gender, life stage categories, methodologies, geographical settings and the integration of vulnerable and marginalised populations in LMICs.  Fourthly, the social aspects of the interrelationship between SRH and MH are often neglected within LMICs, which is concerning, given the historical and contemporary inequalities that are key determinants of physical and mental health in these regions