Conference abstract
Challenges and recommendations regarding adolescent sexual health education and access to health services: findings from parents, teachers and Secondary School Student Focus Groups at Bahi, Dodoma
Pan African Medical Journal - Conference Proceedings. 2024:21(67).29
Apr 2024.
doi: 10.11604/pamj-cp.2024.21.67.2398
Archived on: 29 Apr 2024
Contact the corresponding author
Keywords: Sexual health, adolescent, Tanzania
Oral presentation
Challenges and recommendations regarding adolescent sexual health education and access to health services: findings from parents, teachers and Secondary School Student Focus Groups at Bahi, Dodoma
Cyrialis Mutabuzi1,&, Mwajuma Bakari Mdoe2, Faustine Mboineki3, Dickson Chinunje1, Raheli Balegele4, Lucy R. Mgopa5, Shalini Kulasingam6, Charles Majinge7
1Department of Public Health, Dodoma Christian Medical Centre, Dodoma, Tanzania, 2Department of Clinical Nursing, School of Nursing and Public Health, University of Dodoma, Dodoma, Tanzania, 3Department of Nursing Management and Education, School of Nursing and Public Health, University of Dodoma, Dodoma, Tanzania, 4Department of Education and Culture, Bahi District Council, Dodoma, Tanzania, 5Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, 6Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, USA, 7Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Dodoma Christian Medical Centre, Dodoma, Tanzania
&Corresponding author
Introduction: Tanzania is among countries with the highest rates of adolescent pregnancies and is a significant cause of school dropout. Despite the fact that programs in Tanzania have been established aimed at spreading awareness of adolescent sexual health in schools still the number of adolescent pregnancies is increasing. There is a pressing need to understand the challenges and opinions regarding the adolescent sexual reproductive health education and services for secondary school students.
Methods: an exploratory qualitative design was used to understand the challenges and recommendations regarding adolescent sexual health education and access to sexual health service. The study was conducted with secondary school students, parents and teachers from 5 selected schools in Bahi District. Purposive multi-stage sampling was used to select study participants. A total of 5 focus groups were conducted in each school for a total of 25 to reach saturation. Thematic analysis using NVivo was used to identify themes and sub-themes.
Results: the delivery of adolescent sexual health education and services face challenges that hinders regular provision of education and services. Provision of Sexual Health Education and Services by healthcare workers, religious leaders and community educators during puberty at school, home and in the community was proposed by participants in order to improve Sexual Health Education and access to Sexual Health Services by adolescents.
Conclusion: the study revealed limited adolescent sexual health education and services provided in secondary schools and at home by the parents and guardians as well as teachers which need to be urgently solved.
Challenges and recommendations regarding adolescent sexual health education and access to health services: findings from parents, teachers and Secondary School Student Focus Groups at Bahi, Dodoma
Cyrialis Mutabuzi1,&, Mwajuma Bakari Mdoe2, Faustine Mboineki3, Dickson Chinunje1, Raheli Balegele4, Lucy R. Mgopa5, Shalini Kulasingam6, Charles Majinge7
1Department of Public Health, Dodoma Christian Medical Centre, Dodoma, Tanzania, 2Department of Clinical Nursing, School of Nursing and Public Health, University of Dodoma, Dodoma, Tanzania, 3Department of Nursing Management and Education, School of Nursing and Public Health, University of Dodoma, Dodoma, Tanzania, 4Department of Education and Culture, Bahi District Council, Dodoma, Tanzania, 5Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, 6Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, USA, 7Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Dodoma Christian Medical Centre, Dodoma, Tanzania
&Corresponding author
Introduction: Tanzania is among countries with the highest rates of adolescent pregnancies and is a significant cause of school dropout. Despite the fact that programs in Tanzania have been established aimed at spreading awareness of adolescent sexual health in schools still the number of adolescent pregnancies is increasing. There is a pressing need to understand the challenges and opinions regarding the adolescent sexual reproductive health education and services for secondary school students.
Methods: an exploratory qualitative design was used to understand the challenges and recommendations regarding adolescent sexual health education and access to sexual health service. The study was conducted with secondary school students, parents and teachers from 5 selected schools in Bahi District. Purposive multi-stage sampling was used to select study participants. A total of 5 focus groups were conducted in each school for a total of 25 to reach saturation. Thematic analysis using NVivo was used to identify themes and sub-themes.
Results: the delivery of adolescent sexual health education and services face challenges that hinders regular provision of education and services. Provision of Sexual Health Education and Services by healthcare workers, religious leaders and community educators during puberty at school, home and in the community was proposed by participants in order to improve Sexual Health Education and access to Sexual Health Services by adolescents.
Conclusion: the study revealed limited adolescent sexual health education and services provided in secondary schools and at home by the parents and guardians as well as teachers which need to be urgently solved.
