scholarly journals Where and how do young people like to get their sexual and reproductive health (SRH) information? Experiences from students in higher learning institutions in Mbeya, Tanzania: a cross-sectional study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruby Doryn Mcharo ◽  
Philippe Mayaud ◽  
Sia E. Msuya
Keyword(s):  
Young People ◽  
Reproductive Health ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
Sexual And Reproductive Health ◽  
Sexual Experience ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Higher Learning ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Learning Institutions

Abstract Background Sexual and reproductive health (SRH) among young adults in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) is still a major public health challenge. Early school-based sexuality education programs and sexual health information sharing between teachers, parents and young people have been considered protective against the sexual health risks to which young people are exposed. There is, however, limited information on the preferred choices of “where”, “how” and “from whom” young people would like to receive SRH information. We aimed to describe the experience and preferences of young people regarding their SRH education and learning and in particular communication with their parents/guardians. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study among randomly selected students aged 18-24y attending Higher Learning Institutions (HLIs) in Mbeya, Tanzania. We used a self-administered questionnaire to collect information on SRH education received, ability to discuss SRH matters with a parent/guardian and SRH information gaps encountered during their early sexual experience. Results We enrolled 504 students from 5 HLIs, of whom 446 (88.5%) reported to be sexually active, with mean age at sexual debut of 18.4y (SD 2.2). About 61% (307/504) of the participants found it difficult to discuss or did not discuss SRH matters with their parent/guardian while growing up. Learning about SRH matters was reported from peers (30.2%) and teacher-led school curriculum (22.7%). There was a strong gender-biased preference on SRH matters’ discussions, female and male participants preferred discussions with adults of their respective sex. Peers (18.2%), media (16.2%) and schools (14.2%) were described as the preferred sources of SRH information. On recalling their first sexual experience, sexually-initiated participants felt they needed to know more about sexual feelings, emotions and relationships (28.8%), safer sex (13.5%), how to be able to say ‘No’ (10.7%) and how to use a condom correctly (10.2%). Conclusion Young people have a gender preference when it comes to learning about SRH matters from their parents; however, such conversations seldom occur. Community health education should focus on building skills of parents on parent-child communication on SRH matters so as to empower them to confidently initiate and convey accurate SRH information. Comprehensive SRH education and skills building need to be strengthened in the current school SRH curriculum in order to meet the demand and needs of students and increase the competence of teachers.

scholarly journals Where and how do young People Like to Get their Sexual and Reproductive Health Information? Experiences from Students in Higher Learning Institutions in Tanzania: A Cross-sectional Study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruby Doryn Mcharo ◽  
Philippe Mayaud ◽  
Sia Emmanueli Msuya
Keyword(s):  
Young People ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Sexual And Reproductive Health ◽  
Sexual Experience ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Higher Learning ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Sexual Health Information ◽  
Learning Institutions

Abstract Background Sexual and reproductive health (SRH) among young adults in developing countries is still a major public health concern. Early school-based sexuality education programs and sexual health information sharing between teachers, parents and young people have been considered protective against sexual health risks that young people are prone to. There is limited information on preferred choices of “where” and “how” young people like to get their SRH information. Here, we describe what young people prefer to learn with regard to sexual matters, where and who they prefer to learn from, and their experiences of parent-child sexuality communication. MethodsThis was a cross-sectional study, conducted from March 2019 to January 2020 among students aged 18-24 years attending Higher Learning Institutions (HLIs) within Mbeya. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect information on SRH education, ability to discuss sexual matters with a parent/guardian, and SRH information gap during early sexual experience. ResultsOut of 504 students that were enrolled, 377 (74.8%) reported to be sexually active with mean age at sexual debut of 18.4 years. Six out of ten students found it difficult to discuss or did not discuss sexual matters with a parent/guardian while growing up at age 12-18 years. Majority learnt about SRH matters from peers (30%) and lessons at schools (23%). We found a gender-biased preference on sexual matters discussions, such that female and male participants preferred discussions with female adults and male adults, respectively. Peers (18%), Media (17%) and schools (13%) were preferred sources of SRH information. On recalling first sexual experience, participants felt they needed to know more about sexual feelings, emotions and relationships (26.9%), safer sex (13.8%), how to be able to say 'No' (10.5%) and how to use a condom correctly (10.2%). ConclusionYoung people have a gender-biased preference when it comes to learning about SRH matters from their parents; however, such conversations seldom occur. Community health IEC should incorporate the agenda on building skills of parents on parent-child communication on sexual matters so as to empower them to confidently initiate and convey appropriate and sufficient sexual health information. Comprehensive SRH education and skills building is needed in the current school SRH curriculum in order need to meet the demand and needs of students’ and teachers’.

Parent-Young People Communication on Sexual and Reproductive Health Issues and Associated Factors Among Students in Agaro Town, Ethiopia: A Cross-sectional Study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daba Abdissa ◽  
Workitu Sileshi
Keyword(s):  
Logistic Regression ◽  
Secondary Education ◽  
Young People ◽  
Reproductive Health ◽  
Primary Education ◽  
Educational Status ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
P Value ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional

Abstract BackgroundSexual and reproductive health (SRH) is at the base of young people's living and wellbeing. A significant number of young peoples are affected by avoidable SRH problems due to a lack of appropriate knowledge regarding SRH. Parent-young communication on SRH is critical in informing them about risk and protective behaviors which in turn decrease the likelihood of involvement in risky sexual behaviors. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the parent-young communication on SRH issues among secondary and preparatory school students at Agaro town, Southwestern Ethiopia. MethodsSchool based cross-sectional study was conducted from April 13 to April 20, 2019 using stratified random sampling technique. Data were collected using pretested interviewer-administered structured questionnaire entered into Epi data version 3.1; and analyzed using SPSS version 20. A variable having a p-value of <0.25 in the bivariable logistic regression model was subjected to multivariable logistic regression analysis to avoid the confounding variable’s effect. Adjusted odds ratios were calculated at the 95% confidence interval and considered significant with a p-value of <0.05.ResultsA total of 315 students were included to the study. The mean age of the respondents was 20.2±2.6 years. The study finding showed that 61.3% of the participants were discussed on SRH issues with their parents. Educational status of mother [primary education (AOR=3.67; 95%CI=1.93,6.97),secondary education(AOR:2.86;95%CI=1.20,6.80)],educational status of father[primary education (AOR=5.8;95%CI=2.8,12.3,secondary education (AOR=3.21; 95%CI=1.55,6.59)],having family size of <5 (AOR= 6.4; 95%CI= 3.36,12.37) and having boy/girlfriend(AOR=1.99; 95%CI=1.0,3.8) were significantly associated with parent-young people communication. ConclusionAbout two third of the participants communicate with their parents about SRH issues. Parents’ educational status, family size of <5 and having boy/girlfriend were significantly associated with the parent-young people communication. The main reasons for not communicated was cultural taboos, shame and parents lack of knowledge. Therefore, it is necessary to educate and equip students and parents to address the identified problems.

Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Sexual and Reproductive Health Among Older Adolescent Girls in Bangladesh: An Institution-Based Cross-Sectional Study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Zakaria ◽  
Junfang Xu ◽  
Farzana Karim ◽  
Subarna Mazumder ◽  
Feng Cheng
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Health ◽  
Linear Regression ◽  
Mass Media ◽  
Adolescent Girls ◽  
Sexual And Reproductive Health ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Regression Analyses ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Attitudes And Practices

Abstract Background: Improving the sexual and reproductive health (SRH) of adolescent girls is one of the primary agenda of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Adequate and accurate knowledge, favorable attitude, safe behavior, and regular practice contribute to the adolescent girls’ SRH, maternal, and child health. In the background, this study aims to explore the level of knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of SRH among college-going older adolescent girls in Chittagong district, Bangladesh. Methods: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted in four colleges among the older adolescent girls age group of 16-17 (N = 792) attending a higher secondary grade in Chittagong district. Data were collected using a structured and self-administered questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression analyses were used to summarize the SRH-related KAP and identify the associated factors, respectively. Results: 62% of study participants had the awareness that both physical and psychological changes occur in the adolescence period, while only 36% knew that menstruation is not a disease. Besides, only 30% of adolescent girls were informed about taking birth control has no adverse effect on the sexual relationship of a couple. Moreover, only 40% of students were learned that HIV could not be spread through the mosquito and flea, whereas only 25% knew that transmission of HIV is unlikely from an infected person’s coughing and sneezing. Of older adolescent girls, 35% disagreed perfectly whether sexual education can lead to more sexual activity. Besides, more or less 20% of participants opined that adolescent girls should refrain from going outside even to the school, entering into the kitchen, touching anyone, brushing hair, and see in the mirror. Moreover, 52% of adolescent girls wanted to learn more details about SRH, while 48% felt timid and afraid of their puberty changes. Besides, 62.5% of adolescent girls reported their using cloth during the menstrual cycle instead of the sanitary pad. Standardized coefficients beta (β) and p value < .05 in linear regression analyses explored that adolescent girls’ study of science, urban residence, reading or watching SRH contents on the mass media appeared as the more significant predictors for outcome variables. Conclusion: Many problems related to SRH exist among older adolescent girls in Bangladesh, such as behaviors and social constraints associated with menstruation, myths, and assumptions, recognition of the value of awareness and knowledge of reproductive health. Therefore, strengthening SRH-related comprehensive education programs incorporating into the curriculum, effective use of mass media, and supplying behavioral change communication materials are essential.

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