Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Infodemiology
Date Submitted: Sep 8, 2025
Open Peer Review Period: Sep 15, 2025 - Nov 10, 2025
Date Accepted: Nov 10, 2025
(closed for review but you can still tweet)
Impacts of SRHR misinformation in digital spaces on human rights protection and promotion: A scoping review
ABSTRACT
Background:
Sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) are foundational to both individual autonomy and global well-being. Misinformation in this domain poses serious risks by undermining evidence-based decision-making, weakening systems of accountability, and perpetuating social injustices.
Objective:
This scoping review aimed to map and synthesize evidence on the forms, spread, and impacts of misinformation related to SRHR in digital spaces, with a particular focus on implications for the protection and promotion of human rights.
Methods:
We conducted a scoping review of scientific articles and grey literature. It was guided by Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) population-exposure-outcomes framework. The extracted information was documented following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension checklist for scoping reviews. Thematic analysis was done and mapped against human rights standards: (1) Equality and non-discrimination, (2) Availability, accessibility, acceptability, quality, (3) Informed decision-making, (4) Privacy and confidentiality, (5) Participation and inclusion, and (6) Accountability.
Results:
Of the 254 eligible studies and documents, 133 focused on the information ecosystem, 37 on individual, 32 on service delivery and health system, 31 on law and policy, and 21 on community levels. SRHR misinformation impacts individuals’ informed SRHR decisions by shaping their beliefs, attitudes, and health-seeking behaviors. It reinforces harmful and discriminatory social norms at community levels, and the exclusion of marginalized voices. SRHR misinformation impacts health systems by shaping provider knowledge and practice, disrupting service delivery, and creating barriers to equitable care. It may function as a legal and policy tool to erode SRHR protections. The design of online platforms, digital marketing strategies, and content moderation policies enable misinformation to spread widely while restricting credible SRHR content.
Conclusions:
SRHR misinformation in digital spaces is a systemic issue that undermines human rights across multiple levels, highlighting the urgent need for integrated, rights-based approaches to research, policy, and intervention. Clinical Trial: N/A
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