Factors influencing communication pattern between parents and their adolescent children about sex related issues in Mbeya rural district

Abstract

This was a cross sectional study done in Mbeya rural district between May and June 2002. The aim of the study was to assess the extent to which the parents communicate with their adolescent children about sex related issues. The respondents were selected using multistage random sampling technique. A structured interview was used for generating data. A total of 400 parents with children aged ten to nineteen years were interviewed. The results of this study revealed that 82.3% and 72.3% of the parents communicate about sexuality related issues to their male and female adolescents respectively. HIV / AIDS was the most frequently discussed topic. Discussion on spermarche, menarche, and family planning were held by a small proportion of parents. Cultural restrictions and lack of time were cited as major barrier to communication. The general knowledge of parents on sexual and reproductive health issues was found to be fairly high despite the observed gaps on specific issues. For example, only half of respondents knew that a woman can get pregnant if she has unprotected sex while standing. Also, only 6% percents of parents knew blood transfusion can transmit the AIDS virus. - - - --------- - ----- ---- ---- -----

IX Most parents preferred to be the source of sexuality information for their adolescent children. Very few mentioned the media and peers as what they would like to be sources of sex related information for their children. Parents should play their role as primary sex educators of their adolescent-children as they have suggested. - -~~~------ -- --- -- ----- ---