Introduction Studies across the world have shown that parent-adolescent SRH communication can prevent unhealthy sexual and reproductive health (SRH) practices among adolescents and promote their sexual and reproductive health. Parents have the ability to provide individualized sex education to suit the needs of their children, their families, and societal values. The fact that children have more opportunities in the family, makes parent-based sexuality education of children a better approach to Sri Lankan context. Objective To explore mother’s perceptions and concerns over sharing SRH information with their daughters among Sinhalese mothers of adolescent girls aged 14–19 years in Sri Lanka. Methodology Six Focus group discussions (FGD) were carried out among mothers of adolescent girls aged 14–19 years. Each focus group discussion included 10–12 participants who were recruited using the purposive sampling method. A focus group discussion guide developed after an extensive literature search and expert opinion was used to retrieve information from mothers. Data management and analysis mainly followed an inductive approach to thematic analysis principles. The findings were presented in narrative form using respondents’ quotes in their own words and were developed into codes and themes. Results The mean age of the participants was 43.5 years while 62.4% (n = 40) were educated above the Ordinary level. Analysis of data identified eight main themes from the FGDs. Many mothers thought that sexual and reproductive information is important to adolescent girls. They tried to keep their girl adolescents informed about Adolescent sexual and reproductive health (ASRH) issues. They preferred abstinence-only education over abstinence-plus education. Lack of skills and lack of knowledge on adolescent SRH issues was a major challenge identified by the mothers to communicate SRH matters with their children. Conclusions and recommendations Although mothers perceived their role as primary sex educators to their children, they were not confident about their knowledge and skills in discussing SRH matters with children. Implementation of interventions to improve mothers’ attitudes and skills in communicating SRH matters with children is recommended.

Introduction Studies across the world have shown that parent-adolescent SRH communication can prevent unhealthy SRH practices among adolescents and promote their sexual and reproductive health. Parents’ ability to provide individualized sexuality education to suit the needs of their children, their family, and societal values, and the fact that children have more opportunities in the family, makes parent-based sexuality education of children a better approach to Sri Lankan context. Objective To explore mother’s perceptions and concerns over sharing sexual and reproductive health information with their daughters among Sinhalese mothers of adolescent girls aged 14–19 years in Sri Lanka Methodology Six Focus group discussions were carried out among mothers of adolescent girls aged 14–19 years. Each focus group discussion included 10–12 participants. A Focus Group Discussion guide developed after an extensive literature search and expert opinion was used to retrieve information from mothers. Data management and analysis mainly followed an inductive approach to thematic analysis principles. The analysis results were presented in narrative form using quotes in respondents’ own words that highlighted the theory. Results The mean age of the participants was 43.5 years while 62.4% (n = 40) were educated above the Ordinary level. Analysis of data identified eight main themes from the FGDs. Many mothers thought that sexual and reproductive information is important to adolescent girls. They tried to keep their girl adolescent informed about SRH issues that she may face during this time. They preferred abstinence-only education over abstinence-plus education. Lack of skills and lack of knowledge on adolescent SRH issues was a major challenge identified by the mothers to communicate SRH matters with their children. Conclusions and recommendations Although mothers perceived their role as primary sex educators to their children, they were not confident about their knowledge and skills in discussing SRH matters with children. Implementation of interventions to improve mothers’ attitudes and skills in communicating SRH matters with children is recommended.

Introduction: School-based and community-based sexuality education has not shown a significant impact on the sexual and reproductive health (SRH) outcome of Sri Lankan adolescents. Parents as the primary educators of adolescents would be a better source of providing individualized sexuality education to their children. Objective: To assess the existing pattern of mother-daughter communication of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) matters among Sinhala adolescent girls aged 14-19 years in Sri Lanka. Methods: A descriptive-cross sectional study was conducted among a sample of 810 Sinhala adolescent girls, using a pre-tested, self-administered questionnaire. Descriptive statistics related to mother-daughter communication of SRH matters were presented using frequencies and percentages. Bivariate analysis was performed to assess the association of selected socio-demographic factors with mother-daughter SRH communication while Binary logistic analysis was performed to assess the independent association of selected demographic factors with mother-daughter SRH communication. Results: The majority of the respondents (67.1%, n=540) were positive about discussing SRH matters with their mothers. For 78.2% (n=632) mother was the most preferred source of SRH information. Issues related to menstruation (88.4%, n=701), keeping body limits (94%, n=718), and preventing sexual violence (72.6%, n=574), were among the common topics discussed between mothers and daughters. Cultural barriers (46.8%, n=379),and fear of parental perception (56.3%, n=456), were the main barriers to discussing SRH topics with mothers. Adolescent girls’ age, religion, status of schooling, and family income level were significantly associated with mother-daughter SRH communication. Conclusions and recommendations: Adolescent girls identified the mothers as a good source of SRH information. Parents' contribution as a primary source of SRH information to adolescent girls when planning adolescent sexual health interventions needs to be considered.

Background Sexual and reproductive health is a major concern among adolescents and youth in Sri Lanka. The study was carried out to assess the knowledge, and practices of the youth trainees attached to youth training institutes in Sri Lanka. Methodology A descriptive, cross-sectional study was carried out among randomly selected 425 youth trainees attached to youth training centers in Sri Lanka using a pre-tested self-administered questionnaire. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS-21. Categorical variables were presented as numbers and percentages. A comparison of categorical variables was conducted using the Chi-Square test and Fisher’s exact test as applicable. The bivariate logistic regression model was used to determine the independent association of the selected demographic factors with youth trainees’ sexual and reproductive health knowledge. Results Study group consisted of 51.8% (n = 220) males and 48.2% (n = 205) females with a mean age of 18.6 years (SD = 1.8). Youth trainees’ knowledge of the physiology of the reproductive tract was not at a satisfactory level, where Only 49% (n = 211) knew that nocturnal emission is normal in young men. The trainee’s knowledge of contraception was also at a poor level. Only 47.5% (n = 202) had ever heard of condoms, and 13.2% (n = 56) knew about the emergency contraceptive pill. Nearly 8% (n = 33) of the youth had engaged in sexual intercourse at least once in their lifetime. Male gender (AOR = 2.3, p < 0.001), and age above 20 years (AOR = 1.9, P = 0.005) were positively associated with SRH knowledge. Conclusions and recommendations Knowledge and practices on sexual and reproductive health among youth trainees were sub-standard. The study recommends strengthening sexual and reproductive health education at youth training centers.