Do parents and adolescents talk about reproductive health? Myanmar adolescents' perspective

Adolescence is a transitional period and an important stage in an individual's life. Adolescents are at risk of adverse reproductive health outcomes such as unplanned or unwanted pregnancy, unsafe abortions, maternal health complications, and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) including HIV/AIDS. Previous studies indicate that adolescents whose parents talk to them about sex tend to be less sexually active and more likely to use an effective means of contraception. The objective of the study was to find out the level and content of communication between adolescents and their parents. Ease of communication, future intentions to discuss with parents and confidence in parents' knowledge of reproductive health were also examined. A cross sectional descriptive study using structured questionnaire was conducted among 91 adolescents (11-19 years old) in North Okkalapa Township of Yangon Division, Myanmar. The majority of the people there had little knowledge on pubertal changes and STDs, and moderate knowledge on contraception. Sixty three percent of adolescents communicated at least once with their parents on reproductive health within the last 6 months: 6.8% with fathers and 62.6% with mothers. Only 15.4% talked more than three times. Girls were more likely to communicate with mothers than boys (79% vs. 33%, P<0.001). The main topic of discussion among mother and girls is menstruation, and among mothers and boys, HIV/AIDS/STDs are mainly discussed. Regarding the ease of communication, only 15% felt comfortable talking with parents. Most of the adolescents (89%) had positive attitude towards communicating with their parents. The findings suggest the need to involve parents in existing adolescent reproductive health programs and design interventions focusing on parents to promote parent-adolescent communication. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/seajph.v1i1.13219 South East Asia Journal of Public Health 2011:1:40-45

Download Full-text

Awareness about reproductive health, contraceptive methods, STDs including HIV/AIDS, and HPV vaccine, among adolescent girls in district Faridkot in Punjab

International Journal of Reproduction Contraception Obstetrics and Gynecology ◽

10.18203/2320-1770.ijrcog20171966 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 6 (5) ◽

pp. 2003 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Seema Grover ◽

Nishi Garg ◽

Rupali Rupali ◽

Balpreet Kaur

Keyword(s):

Reproductive Health ◽

Interpersonal Communication ◽

Sex Education ◽

Adolescent Girls ◽

Hpv Vaccine ◽

Contraceptive Methods ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Sexually Transmitted ◽

Route Of Transmission ◽

Hiv Aids

Background: Adolescents are more vulnerable than adults to unplanned pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases including HIV/AIDS. Female adolescents have a higher risk of contracting an STD than their male counterparts. Hence creating awareness in them about reproductive health is the need of the hour.Methods: This was a cross sectional school based Study which was conducted in various schools of Faridkot city of Punjab where 400 Adolescent girls of class 11th and 12th age between 16-19 years, studying in English medium schools in district Faridkot through predesigned multiple choice questionnaires.Results: In our study, most of the girls (67%) were not aware about the meaning of reproductive health. Amongst contraceptive methods, 62.5% knew about condoms. The awareness about STDs was highest about HIV/AIDS (70.75%) and low (less than 20%) for other STDs. They also scored low about symptoms and route of transmission of STD’s. Only 17% of the girls knew about HPV vaccine. Attitude towards sex education was positive.Conclusions: Poor knowledge in girls about Reproductive Health and STDs (other than HIV/AIDS) is of serious concern. Therefore, education about reproductive health should be incorporated in the curriculum which should be given through teaching, interpersonal communication, television, health camps and specialist.

Download Full-text

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPOSURE INFORMATION OF ADOLESCENTS ABOUT REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH

Contagion: Scientific Periodical Journal of Public Health and Coastal Health ◽

10.30829/contagion.v1i2.7210 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 1 (2) ◽

pp. 97

Author(s):

Ahmad Syukroni Sinaga ◽

Andriani Buaton ◽

M. Ancha Sitorus

Keyword(s):

Reproductive Health ◽

Sexually Transmitted Infections ◽

Secondary Data ◽

Observational Research ◽

Fertile Period ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Sexually Transmitted ◽

Teenage Girls ◽

North Sumatra ◽

Hiv Aids

<div><table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="left"><tbody><tr><td align="left" valign="top">Abstrak </td></tr></tbody></table></div>Kesehatan reproduksi menjadi permasalahan yang sering didapatkan remaja. Pengetahuan remaja tentang kesehatan reproduksi dan kurangnya mendapatkan informasi tentang kesehatan reproduksi membuat remaja terjebak pada permasalahan yang berkaitan dengan seks bebas, terkena penyakit infeksi menular seks bahkan kehamilan tidak diinginkan. Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui gambaran pengetahuan remaja dan keterpaparan informasi remaja di Provinsi Sumatera Utara.Penelitian ini merupakan jenis penelitian observasional dengan design crossectinal.Sampel yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah remaja perempuan dan laki-laki yang belum menikah dengan rentang usia 15–24 tahun dari rumah tangga terpilih yang berdomisili di Provinsi Sumatera Utara yang berjumlah 1123 orang.Penelitian ini menggunakan sumber data sekunder yang berasal dari Survei Indikator Kinerja Rencana Pembangunan Jangka Menengah Nasional Tahun 2017.Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa masih banyak yang tidak tahu tentang masa subur wanita sebanyak 46,7% dan tidak pernah mendengar istilah masa subur sebanyak 9.8%. Remaja ternyata masih banyak yang tidak tahu tentang HIV/AIDS sebanyak 12,6% dan pernah mendengar tentang HIV/AIDS sebanyak 87,6%. Remaja ternyata masih banyak yang tidak tahu tentang infeksi menular seks sebanyak 42,7% dan pernah mendengar tentang tentang infeksi menular seks sebanyak 57,3%. Masih banyak yang tidak tahu tentang remaja perempuan dapat hamil hanya dalam sekali hubungan sebanyak 19,1% , responden menjawab remaja perempuan tidak dapat hamil hanya dalam sekali hubungan sebanyak 15% dan remaja perempuan dapat hamil hanya dalam sekali hubungan sebanyak 65,9%.Dari hasil penelitian ini disarankan kepada BKKBN Kabupaten/Kota di Provinsi Sumatera Utara untuk lebih intens dalam mensosialisasikan tentang kesehatan reproduksi pada remaja agar dapat menciptakan keluarga yang bahagia. Remaja diharapkan dapat mencari informasi yang benar tentang kesehatan reproduksi agar dapat mengurangi resiko terjadinya perilaku beresiko. Kata kunci :Pengetahuan, Informasi, kesehatan reproduksi, remaja<div><table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="left"><tbody><tr><td align="left" valign="top"> Abstract </td></tr></tbody></table></div>Health problems that adolescents often experience. Adolescents ' knowledge of reproductive health and reduction getting information on health recovery makes adolescents spared free sex-related problems, discussing infectious diseases The purpose of this research is to study the overview of Adolescents ' knowledge and the exposure of adolescent information in North Sumatra province.This research is a type of observational research with cross-sectional design. The samples used in this study were teenage girls and unmarried men with a range of ages 15 – 24 years of selected households domiciled in the province of North Sumatra which resulted in 1123 people. The study used secondary data sources issued from the National Medium Term Development Plan performance Indicators survey in 2017.The results showed that many still do not know about women's fertile period of 46.7% and never heard the term fertile period of 9.8%. Teenagers are still many who do not know about HIV/AIDS as much as 12.6% and have heard about HIV/AIDS as much as 87.6%. Teenagers are still many who do not know about sexually transmitted infections by as much as 42.7% and have heard of sexually transmitted infections as much as 57.3%. There are still many who do not know about women can conceive only in one relationship of 19.1%, respondents answered girls can not conceive only in one relationship as much as 15%, and girls can conceive only in one relationship as much as 65.9%.From the results of this study, tell BKKBN Regency/city in North Sumatera province to be more intense in socializing about reproductive health in adolescents in order to produce a happy family. Adolescents are expected to seek correct information about health care Keywords: Knowledge, Information, Reproductive Health, Adolescents

Download Full-text

Keterpaparan Program GenRe (Generasi Berencana) dan Perilaku Pacaran Remaja Jawa Timur, Indonesia

JURNAL PROMOSI KESEHATAN INDONESIA ◽

10.14710/jpki.17.1.1-6 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 17 (1) ◽

pp. 1-6

Author(s):

Pulung Siswantara ◽

Riris Diana Rachmayanti ◽

Muthmainnah Muthmainnah ◽

Febrianti Qisti Arrum Bayumi ◽

Wandera Ahmad Religia

Keyword(s):

Reproductive Health ◽

Sexually Transmitted Infections ◽

Health Program ◽

Unwanted Pregnancy ◽

Early Marriage ◽

P Value ◽

Sexually Transmitted ◽

Adolescent Reproductive Health ◽

Aids Drugs ◽

Hiv Aids

Background: According to Population and Family Planning Agency (BKKBN), adolescents are aged 10-24 years and are not married. Indonesian Basic Health Research (RISKESDAS) 2018 showed around 58.8% of adolescents aged 10-19 years had been married and had had a pregnancy. The Indonesian Demographic and Health Survey (SDKI) results revealed that risk behavior among male junior and senior high school students was around 8.06%, and female were 4.17%. This study aimed to determine the correlation between the Planning Generation (GenRe) Program knowledge and adolescents’ characteristics with dating experience in East Java Province. Method: This research was a cross-sectional study. Secondary data were collected from the 2019 Program Performance and Accountability Survey (SKAP) and were analyzed descriptively with cross-tabulation and chi-square tests. The risk estimate calculation was also carried out to identify the Odd Ratio (OR). The sample used was 5,300 adolescents in East Java Province after weighting. The research variables consisted of dating behavior in adolescents, age, gender, and adolescents' knowledge about GenRe, HIV/AIDS, drugs, and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and Adolescent Reproductive Health Program.Results: The results showed that 41.80% of adolescents in East Java had dated. There was a significant correlation between dating behavior with adolescents’ knowledge about GenRe, HIV/AIDS, drugs, and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and Adolescent Reproductive Health Program (P-Value = 0.00). Dating behavior also had a significant correlation with age (P-Value = 0.00) and gender (P-Value = 0.00). This study concluded that there was a correlation between dating behavior in adolescents in East Java Province with age, gender, and adolescents’ knowledge about GenRe, HIV/AIDS, drugs, Sexually Transmitted Infection (STIs), and Adolescent Reproductive Health Program. They were strengthening the GenRe program through the introduction, explanation of program activities, and the process of youth involvement. So far, teenagers only know the name of the GenRe program. This action needs to be applied to prevent negative effects caused by dating behavior, such as premarital sex, unwanted pregnancy, and early marriage.

Download Full-text

AWARENESS ABOUT REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH IN ADOLESCENTS AND YOUTH: A REVIEW

Journal of Applied Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research ◽

10.31069/japsr.v2i3.1 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 1-5 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Mudasir Maqbool ◽

Misba Khan ◽

Maqsood Mohammad ◽

Miracle Ayomikun Adesina ◽

Ginenus Fekadu

Keyword(s):

Reproductive Health ◽

Help Seeking ◽

Unwanted Pregnancy ◽

Safe Motherhood ◽

Childbearing Age ◽

Safe Abortion ◽

Sexually Transmitted ◽

Young Girls ◽

Health Need ◽

Hiv Aids

Reproductive health is a relatively new concept that recognizes that especially a young girl has special reproductive health needs before, during and beyond the childbearing age. It also lays emphasis on the fact that health (more importantly reproductive health) of the present generation has an everlasting effect on the overall health of the next generation and that both are of crucial importance for socio-economic development. Reproductive health need of young people especially for young girls and women includes needs for reproductive health care, family planning, HIV/AIDS information, safer sex, unwanted pregnancy, early pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), safe abortion and safe motherhood. Recently a number of programs for school going adolescent in India have focused on information, education, and communication with a limited focus on the provision of clinical and counseling services on reproductive health. Educational programs can increase awareness about reproductive health but this awareness may not always translate into appropriate help-seeking behavior by adolescents. The limited knowledge about reproductive health issues makes young girls vulnerable to various diseases and infections including HIV/AIDS/STDs, substance abuse, sexual violence, and exploitation. In this paper, we would briefly focus on various aspects of reproductive health.

Download Full-text

ADOLESCENT BEHAVIOR IN UNWANTED PREGNANCY PREVENTION

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH IN LAW, ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL SCIENCES ◽

10.32501/injuriless.v1i1.59 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 1 (1) ◽

pp. 41-46

Author(s):

Arip Ambulan Panjaitan

Keyword(s):

Sexual Behavior ◽

Reproductive Health ◽

Risky Sexual Behavior ◽

Parental Education ◽

Unwanted Pregnancy ◽

Sampling Technique ◽

Adolescent Behavior ◽

Cluster Sampling ◽

Chi Square ◽

Cross Sectional

Introduction: Adolescent are at high risk of unwanted pragnency, including abortion, STIs, HIV/AIDS. Risky sexual behavior is one of the entrance transmissions of unwanted pregnancy. Such behavior can be influenced by various factors, beyond and within the individual factors. Teens need the support and motivation in deciding not to do risky sexual behavior. The purpose of this study was to investigate the determinants of adolescent behavior in the prevention of unwanted pregnancy.Methods: This research used cross-sectional design. The populations were students of senior high school in District Sintang. The were 123 respondents chosen by cluster sampling technique for this study. All data were collected using questionnaires and then analysed using bivariate (chi square) and multivariate analysis (logistic regression).Results: The results showed that the majority of respondents did not have good knowledge about the prevention of unwanted pregnancy. Related variable is the level of parental education (p=0.001), the support of parents/guardians (p=0.009), support teachers (p=0.005), peer support (p=0.039), residency (p=0.009), a pastime activity (p=0.000), knowledge of adolescents about reproductive health (p=0.016), perception ability of adolescents (p=0.006) and attitude of adolescents (p=0.049). Adolescent self-perception abilities are variables that most influence on the behavior of adolescents in the prevention of unwanted pregnancy.Conclusions: Efforts to improve reproductive health programs should be early and adolescent have responsibilities as well as healthy behaviors.

Download Full-text

Assessment of the Reproductive Health Status of Adult Prison Inmates in Osun State, Nigeria

International Journal of Reproductive Medicine ◽

10.1155/2013/451460 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 2013 ◽

pp. 1-9 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

A. I. Olugbenga-Bello ◽

O. A. Adeoye ◽

K. G. Osagbemi

Keyword(s):

Health Status ◽

Reproductive Health ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Prison Inmates ◽

Age Group ◽

Reproductive Health Services ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Multiple Sexual Partners ◽

Condom Usage ◽

Hiv Aids

Introduction. All over the world, numbers of prisoners have being increasing with majority in the sexually active age group; hence diseases such as HIV, Tuberculosis and Hepatitis are more prevalent in prisons than in the community. This study thus aims to provide an overview of the reproductive health status of adult prison inmates in Osun State.Methodology. This is a cross-sectional study among adult inmates in Osun State prison. Data was obtained from 209 selected respondents using pre-tested semi structured questionnaire.Result. Majority of the respondents were in the age group 20–39 years with mean age of30.9+7.5. 73.2% are aware of STIs, 93.3% HIV/AIDS and 81.3% contraception. 54.6% had multiple sexual partners before incarceration and 23.3% of them used condom always. 89.5% were not involved in any sexual practice inside the prison, 9.1% masturbated and 1.4% had homosexual partners. Less than 6% had access to male condoms gotten from prison staffs and prison clinics.Conclusion and recommendation. No comprehensive reproductive health care system to address reproductive health services in prisons. Respondents’ knowledge about STIs, HIV/AIDS and contraception is good, but their condom usage is low compared with the knowledge. Government should put in place specific reproductive health programmes in prisons.

Download Full-text

Mothers' Knowledge about the Reproductive Health Needs of their Adolescent Girls

Journal of Armed Forces Medical College Bangladesh ◽

10.3329/jafmc.v6i2.7266 ◽

1970 ◽

Vol 6 (2) ◽

pp. 9-12

Author(s):

B Zaman ◽

RM Shampa ◽

MA Rahman

Keyword(s):

Reproductive Health ◽

Adolescent Girls ◽

Risk Behaviour ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Health Needs ◽

Safe Motherhood ◽

Good Knowledge ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Sexually Transmitted ◽

Adolescent Reproductive Health

Introduction: Adolescent is an important segment of life while a child undergoes biological transformation.Objective: The study was conducted to assess the level of knowledge of mothers about reproductive health needs of their adolescent girls. Methods: This descriptive cross sectional study was conducted on the mothers having adolescent girls. Data was collected by face to face interview with a semi structured questionnaire and analyzed with SPSS. The knowledge of mothers was assessed by Likert scale.Place of study: The study was conducted at 5 schools of Dhaka city on 118 respondents over a period of four months.Results: It was revealed from the findings that among 118 mothers the mean age of respondents were 40.71 years with standard deviation ± 3.707 years. Majority (70%) of respondents were undergraduate qualified and rest were post graduats. Among the respondents, 64% of mothers did not want to provide information on reproductive health to their daughters. Seventy two percent of the respondents had average knowledge about puberty. Among the respondents, 47% had average knowledge regarding adolescent reproductive health problems and 77% of respondents had average knowledge about safe motherhood. Regarding the complication of unsafe abortion, 73% had average knowledge and 70% had average knowledge about consequence of early pregnancy. Fifty seven percent of the respondents had good knowledge about Sexually Transmitted Diseases. Sixty one percent of the respondents had good knowledge regarding the high risk behaviour of the adolescents. Significant statistical association was found between knowledge and education, knowledge and occupation, and knowledge and source of information of reproductive health (p<0.05).Conclusion: The study findings may be helpful for baseline information and would be beneficial to the policymakers and programme planners to sophisticate further strategy to increase mothers' knowledge about the reproductive health needs of their adolescent girls.Key words: Knowledge; adolescent; reproductive health needs DOI: 10.3329/jafmc.v6i2.7266JAFMC Bangladesh. Vol 6, No 2 (December) 2010 pp.9-12

Download Full-text

Uso e negociação de preservativos por acadêmicos de enfermagem

Revista Recien - Revista Científica de Enfermagem ◽

10.24276/rrecien2020.10.32.81-91 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (32) ◽

pp. 81-91

Author(s):

Thelma Spindola ◽

Cláudia Silva Rocha Oliveira ◽

Daniela Marques da Costa ◽

Nathália Lourdes Nepomuceno de Oliveira ◽

Catarina Valentim Vieira da Motta ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Nursing Students ◽

Female Condom ◽

Legal Aspects ◽

Sexual Practices ◽

Private Institution ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Sexually Transmitted ◽

Continued Use ◽

Infecciones De Transmisión Sexual ◽

Structured Questionnaire

Identificar o uso e a negociação do preservativo por acadêmicos de enfermagem e discutir as práticas sexuais destes estudantes na perspectiva da prevenção das infecções sexualmente transmissíveis. Descritivo, transversal com abordagem quantitativa, realizado com 153 estudantes de enfermagem de uma instituição privada. Foi empregado um questionário estruturado com 60 perguntas fechadas. Para a análise, utilizou-se a estatística descritiva com o auxílio do Excel for Windows. Foram atendidos todos os aspectos ético-legais. 91% participantes tinham vida sexual ativa. Destes: 72% não faziam uso do preservativo em todos os intercursos sexuais; 59% não usavam com parceria fixa; 76% utilizavam-no nas parcerias sexuais casuais e 90) informaram não usar preservativo feminino. A negociação do uso era realizada por 32 dos participantes. Evidenciou-se uma baixa adesão para o uso contínuo de preservativo, o que, juntamente com as situações de negociações de seu uso, favoreceu a exposição às infecções sexualmente transmissíveis.Descritores: Negociação, Preservativos, Comportamento Sexual, Infecções Sexualmente Transmissíveis. Use and negotiation of condoms by nursing academicsAbstract: To identify the use and negotiation of condoms by nursing students and discuss the sexual practices of these students with a view to preventing sexually transmitted infections. Descriptive, cross-sectional with a quantitative approach, carried out with 153 nursing students from a private institution. A structured questionnaire with 60 closed questions was used. For the analysis, descriptive statistics was used with the aid of Excel for Windows. All ethical and legal aspects were met. 91% participants had an active sex life. Of these: 72% did not use condoms in all sexual intercourse; 59% did not use with a fixed partnership; 76% used it in casual sexual partnerships and 90% reported not using female condom. Use negotiation was carried out by 32 of the participants. There was a low adherence to the continued use of condoms, which, together with situations of negotiation of their use, favored exposure to sexually transmitted infections.Descriptors: Negotiating, Condoms, Sexual Behavior, Sexually Transmitted Diseases. Uso y negociación de condones por los académicos de enfermeríaResumen: Identificar el uso y la negociación de condones por parte de académicos de enfermería y discutir las prácticas sexuales de estos estudiantes con miras a prevenir las infecciones de transmisión sexual. Descriptivo, transversal con enfoque cuantitativo, realizado con 153 estudiantes de enfermería de una institución privada. Se utilizó un cuestionario estructurado con 60 preguntas cerradas. Para el análisis, se utilizó estadística descriptiva con la ayuda de Excel para Windows. Se cumplieron todos los aspectos éticos y legales. El 91% de los participantes tenían una vida sexual activa. De estos: 72% no usaban condones en todas las relaciones sexuales; El 59% no lo usó con una sociedad fija; ell 76% lo usó en parejas sexuales casuales y 90) informaron que no usaban condón femenino. La negociación de uso fue realizada por 32 de los participantes. Hubo una baja adherencia al uso continuado de condones, lo que, junto con situaciones de negociación de su uso, favoreció la exposición a infecciones de transmisión sexual.Descriotores: Negociación, Condones, Conducta Sexual, Enfermedades de Transmisión Sexual.

Download Full-text

Acceptance and utilization of HIV testing among the youth: a cross-sectional study in Techiman, Ghana

African Health Sciences ◽

10.4314/ahs.v20i1.19 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

pp. 142-149

Author(s):

Bernard YA Asare ◽

Henrietta Y Yeboaa ◽

Bismark Dwumfour-Asare

Keyword(s):

Hiv Testing ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Hiv Screening ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Awareness Campaign ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

The Mean ◽

Prevention Of Hiv ◽

Structured Questionnaire ◽

Hiv Aids

Background: In Ghana, efforts including ‘Know Your Status’ campaign have been made to increase awareness and improve the uptake of HIV screening. Objective: This study examined the acceptance and utilization of the HIV/AIDS ‘Know Your Status’ campaign and determine dthe differences in HIV testing by demographic characteristics among the youth in Techiman, Ghana. Method: This study was a cross-sectional study conducted among the youth aged 15-24 years. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 200 purposively selected respondents. Results: The mean age of the respondents was 19.6±2.72 years. There was a universal awareness (100%) of HIV/AIDs, and were knowledgeable about the mode of transmission, symptoms and the prevention of HIV. A high proportion of the respon- dents (n=161, 80.5%) had heard about the ‘Know Your Status’ (KYS) campaign. Less than half of respondents (n=91, 45.5%) had tested for HIV, and only 16.5% (n=15/91) of respondents tested through the KYS campaign. Testing for HIV was associ- ated with age (p<0.001) and marital status (p<0.001). Conclusion: The youth should therefore be targeted in the awareness and the ‘Know Your Status campaigns’, and in an effort- sto promote screening for HIV. Keywords: Awareness; campaign; knowledge; HIV/AIDS; know your status; screening.

Download Full-text

Indigenous health beliefs, attitudes and practices among VhaVenda: A challenge to the promotion of HIV/AIDS prevention strategies

Curationis ◽

10.4102/curationis.v30i3.1097 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 30 (3) ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

F.M. Mulaudzi

Keyword(s):

Health Beliefs ◽

Cultural Practices ◽

Indigenous Health ◽

Prevention Strategies ◽

Policy Makers ◽

Sexually Transmitted ◽

Attitudes And Practices ◽

The People ◽

Health Care Training ◽

Hiv Aids

Currently, the syndromic management of HIV/AIDS is based on a biomedical model that focuses on the ABC (Abstain, Be faithful, Condomise) model. The ABC model overlooks the issue of indigenous cultural practices, sexual behaviours, knowledge and attitudes of the society. A grounded theory study was used for the research. The population for the research on which this article is reporting, was selected from the Vhavenda ethnic group using purposive sampling. In-depth interviews were held at the participants’ own homes. The outcome of the study on which this article is reporting, may assist in identifying indigenous health beliefs, attitudes and practices that will assist in curbing the spread of HIV/AIDS. The findings revealed that cultural practices, such as premarital counselling, polygamy and widow inheritance, are believed to be influential in making women more susceptible to sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV/AIDS. The practice of abstinence, as emphasised at initiation schools, should be incorporated into current policies and preventative practices. The findings further demonstrate that policy-makers who formulated the HIV/AIDS strategy have limited knowledge of the health beliefs, attitudes and practices of the people they serve. They thus find it difficult to draw up promotion and prevention strategies that meet the needs of the community. It is therefore imperative that our health-care training curriculum be reviewed to make provision for the incorporation of sound and effective indigenous practices to reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS and to eliminate or refine practices that are harmful and detrimental to people’s health. The cultural practices that were proved reliable and effective will be recommended for integration into health education.

Download Full-text