African Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology | 07 April 2000
Replicating the Role of Youth in Advancing Obstetric and Gynaecological Healthcare in Mauritius: An African Perspective,
A, n, j, a, l, i, R, a, m, p, h, u, l
Abstract
The original study proposed that youth engagement is a critical driver for innovation in African obstetric and gynaecological healthcare. Mauritius, with its distinct socio-economic profile, offers a pertinent case for examining this dynamic. This replication study aimed to verify the original findings on the influence of early-career medical professionals and students on service delivery, advocacy, and technological adoption within Mauritius’s obstetrics and gynaecology sector. A mixed-methods approach was replicated, comprising a cross-sectional survey of medical students, interns, and junior doctors, followed by semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders in healthcare institutions and relevant non-governmental organisations. The study corroborated the original conclusion that youth are pivotal in digital health adoption. A key replicated finding was that a large majority of new telemedicine initiatives for maternal health were championed by practitioners under 35. However, the replication identified systemic barriers to sustained influence, such as hierarchical structures, which were not fully emphasised in the original work. The replication confirms the significant, though contextually mediated, role of youth in advancing obstetric and gynaecological care in Mauritius. It underscores their agency while highlighting institutional constraints that can limit long-term impact. To harness this potential, medical institutions should formalise youth mentorship and leadership pathways. National policy should integrate early-career practitioners into digital health strategy committees. Further replication in other African nations is recommended to build comparative evidence. Replication study, youth in medicine, obstetric care, gynaecology, Mauritius, digital health, medical education, Africa This study provides verified evidence on a specific demographic's contribution to healthcare evolution in an African setting, offering a validated foundation for policy and curriculum development aimed at empowering early-career medical professionals.