Universal Journal of Public Health Vol. 14(5), pp. 886 - 899
DOI: 10.13189/ujph.2026.140506
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Role of Youth-Led Interventions in Tuberculosis Awareness: A Systematic Review

Anita Lufianti ^1,*, Bagoes Widjanarko ², Eti Poncorini Pamungkasari ³, Rizka Ayu Setyani ^1,4, Ari Probandari ^3
1 Doctoral Program of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sebelas Maret, Indonesia
² Faculty of Public Health, Universitas Diponegoro, Indonesia
³ Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sebelas Maret, Indonesia
⁴ Bachelor of Midwifery and Professional Midwife Education Program, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sebelas Maret, Indonesia

ABSTRACT

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major global public health challenge, with persistent diagnostic delays and stigma, particularly among adolescents and young adults. Youth engagement has increasingly been recognized as a promising approach to strengthening health communication and community participation. However, evidence regarding the specific contribution of youth–led interventions and youth ambassadors to TB awareness remains fragmented. This systematic review aimed to synthesize available evidence on the role of youth-led interventions in improving TB awareness, identify effective intervention strategies and contextual factors influencing their success, and examine barriers and facilitators to implementation. This systematic review was registered with PROSPERO (registration number CRD420261409907) and was conducted following the PRISMA extension for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. We searched PubMed, ProQuest, and Scopus for studies published between January 2014 and June 2024. Eligible studies involved adolescents or young adults and evaluated youth-led or youth-engagement approaches addressing TB awareness, knowledge, stigma, health-seeking behavior, or community engagement. Findings were synthesized using a convergent integrated and narrative thematic approach. Of 5,915 records identified, nine studies were included in the final synthesis. Youth-led interventions included structured health education, peer education, drama-based strategies, community campaigns, and literacy counseling. Overall, youth-led initiatives improved TB knowledge and contributed to stigma reduction. Some interventions were also associated with increased TB screening, testing, treatment initiation, community engagement, and health-seeking behavior. This review provides evidence that trained youth can function as credible and accessible gaps between health services and communities, and primary healthcare initiatives. Youth ambassadors show promise as effective agents in TB awareness efforts, particularly when interventions are culturally tailored and engaging. However, substantial variability in design and outcomes limits comparability. Further research with standardised methodologies and evaluation of long-term and digital-based approaches is needed to strengthen the evidence base and optimise implementation.

KEYWORDS
Tuberculosis, Youth Ambassadors, Health Education, Public Health, Systematic Review

Cite This Paper in IEEE or APA Citation Styles
(a). IEEE Format:
[1] Anita Lufianti , Bagoes Widjanarko , Eti Poncorini Pamungkasari , Rizka Ayu Setyani , Ari Probandari , "Role of Youth-Led Interventions in Tuberculosis Awareness: A Systematic Review," Universal Journal of Public Health, Vol. 14, No. 5, pp. 886 - 899, 2026. DOI: 10.13189/ujph.2026.140506.

(b). APA Format:
Anita Lufianti , Bagoes Widjanarko , Eti Poncorini Pamungkasari , Rizka Ayu Setyani , Ari Probandari (2026). Role of Youth-Led Interventions in Tuberculosis Awareness: A Systematic Review. Universal Journal of Public Health, 14(5), 886 - 899. DOI: 10.13189/ujph.2026.140506.