BMJ Global Health · 4 authors, 3 centres
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This scoping review systematically mapped 29 articles and interviewed 16 experts on the use of South-South learning exchanges to improve family planning outcomes in low- and middle-income countries. Capacity building was the most common purpose and study tours (57%) the most common approach, but evidence of effectiveness was very limited and of very low quality.
This scoping review followed an adapted Arksey and O'Malley framework and PRISMA-ScR guidelines, searching electronic databases, grey literature, and reference lists, supplemented by interviews with 16 experts. Most were reports, case studies, or press releases; only two were peer-reviewed publications. Study tours were the most common approach at 57%, and policy dialogue was the most reported output at 45%. Only seven studies reported family planning outcomes, with contraceptive prevalence rate being most frequently mentioned. Key limitations include lack of process documentation, absence of baseline data, insufficient follow-up information, and very few peer-reviewed studies.
