Parent–child communication about sexual and reproductive health: evidence from the Brong Ahafo region, Ghana

Purpose Available studies on parent-child communication about sexual and reproductive health in Ghana have largely focused on assessing communication frequency, barriers, and who communicates with whom within the family. The purpose of this paper is to examine parental and family contextual factors that predict parental communication with young people about sexual and reproductive health. Design/methodology/approach A cross-sectional interviewer-administered survey was conducted among 790 parents selected through a multistage sampling technique. The Cronbach’s α statistic was used to assess various parental and family contextual constructs on parent-child communication about sexual and reproductive health. Separate hierarchical multiple regression models for mothers and fathers were constructed to assess predictors of parental communication about sexual and reproductive health. Findings Nearly the same factors predicted mothers’ and fathers’ communication with young people about sexual and reproductive health matters. The predictors for both mothers and fathers included high socioeconomic status (SES), family religiousity, parent discipline, perceived parent sexual knowledge and parent trustworthiness. Parent permissiveness predicted only for fathers. Social implications Parental communication on sexual and reproductive health is influenced by high SES, family religiousity, parent sexual knowledge, parent discipline and trustworthiness. Interventional programmes on communication about sexual and reproductive health need to take cognisance of these factors to improve parent-child communication about sexual and reproductive health. Originality/value This paper adds to the limited evidence on parent-child communication about sexual and reproductive health in Ghana, by examining parental and family contextual factors that influence parental communication with young people about sexual and reproductive health.

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Parent–Child Communication and Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters1

India's Children ◽

10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199455287.003.0010 ◽

2015 ◽

pp. 258-285

Author(s):

Shireen J. Jejeebhoy ◽

K.G. Santhya

Keyword(s):

Reproductive Health ◽

Sexual And Reproductive Health ◽

Parent Child Communication ◽

Parent Child

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Barriers to parent-child communication on sexual and reproductive health issues in East Africa: A review of qualitative research in four countries

Journal of African Studies and Development ◽

10.5897/jasd2016.0410 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 9 (4) ◽

pp. 45-50 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

A. Kamangu Abdallah ◽

R.John Magata ◽

J. Nyakoki Sylvester

Keyword(s):

Qualitative Research ◽

Reproductive Health ◽

East Africa ◽

Sexual And Reproductive Health ◽

Health Issues ◽

Parent Child Communication ◽

Parent Child

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Family Communication Patterns and Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health: Experiences from Coastal Communities in Ghana

Technium Social Sciences Journal ◽

10.47577/tssj.v9i1.1175 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

pp. 195-210

Author(s):

Rita Holm Adzovie ◽

Daniel Edem Adzovie

Keyword(s):

Reproductive Health ◽

Family Communication ◽

Sexual And Reproductive Health ◽

Family Values ◽

Communication Patterns ◽

Coastal Communities ◽

Family Communication Patterns ◽

Cape Coast ◽

Parent Child Communication ◽

Parent Child

A good understanding of human growth and development helps in the smooth transition of an individual from one stage to another. One of such stages is adolescence, which presents a lot of challenges as well as opportunities. There are differences in the extent to which families encourage conversation, the extent to which they demand conformity to family values as well as the extent to which families pass down strongly held family values from one generation to another, regarding changes that occur during adolescence. The study examines Parent-Child Communication Patterns between parents and adolescents in coastal communities in Ghana. Also, the study explored the effects of parent-child communication related to sexual and reproductive health in improving adolescent sexual reproductive health practices in Ghana. Data was collected from 300 adolescents in selected coastal communities within the Cape Coast Metropolis in Ghana. We found that many parents in the coastal communities within the Cape Coast Metropolis are unable to transmit SRH information to their children. The findings also revealed that level of formal education influenced parents’ ability to transmit SRH information to adolescents and exposes poor parent-adolescent relationship regarding SRH information in the communities studied. Aside from contributing to literature and informing policy directions on family communication patterns regarding adolescent SRH, the study brings more insight on how parents and their adolescents along coastal communities in Cape Coast, Ghana communicate SRH issues. Implications for counselling are outlined.

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Prevalence of and Factors Influencing Parent–Child Communication About HIV/AIDS, and Sexual and Reproductive Health Issues in Nigeria

SAGE Open ◽

10.1177/2158244019833880 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

pp. 215824401983388 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Babatunde Raphael Ojebuyi ◽

Adeniyi Francis Fagbamigbe ◽

Olanrewaju Olugbenga Akinola

Keyword(s):

Family Planning ◽

Reproductive Health ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Sexual And Reproductive Health ◽

Economic Status ◽

Health Issues ◽

Parent Child Communication ◽

Nationally Representative ◽

Hiv Aids ◽

Parent Child

This study investigated the prevalence of and factors that determine parent–child communication about HIV/AIDS and sexual and reproductive health (SRH) issues in Nigeria. The study used data from the National HIV/AIDS and Reproductive Health Survey (NARHS). The data are nationally representative and offers sociodemographic information on women aged 15 to 49 years and men aged 15 to 64 years. Prevalence of parent–child communication about HIV/AIDS, family planning, and contraception was generally low at 37.4%, 32.5%, and 9.5%, respectively. Determinants of discussions with children on HIV/AIDS, family planning, and contraception were respondents’ zone, economic status, and educational attainment. Parents held more discussions with female children than with the males. Parents aged 50 to 64 years, compared with the younger parents, were double likely (odds ratio [OR] = 2.04; 1.52-2.73) to discuss HIV/AIDS with their wards older than 13 years. Male parents, parents living in urban areas, and parents with richer economic status had higher odds of discussing HIV/AIDS and SRH issues with their wards.

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