Factors affecting effective communication about sexual and reproductive health issues between parents and adolescents in zandspruit informal settlement, Johannesburg, South Africa

Abstract

IntroductionCommunication between parents and adolescents regarding sexuality is an important reproductive health topic. Due to complexities associated with adolescent's physiological development, sexuality should be dealt with holistically. This study aimed to investigate factors affecting effective communication between parents and adolescents concerning sexual and reproductive health issues.MethodsAn exploratory qualitative study using the focus group discussions method was done to explore amongst other things; social, cultural and religious barriers to communication. Thematic content analysis was done.ResultsFactors identified included: embarrassment when discussing sexual topics; adolescent misperceptions that guardians want to engage in sexual activities with them; strong belief amongst guardians that reproductive health discussions with adolescents encourages sexual experimentation; belief that adolescents were too young to understand; non-conducive environment for open discussions of sexual and reproductive health matters; cultural and religious beliefs.ConclusionIn view of these findings, there are still barriers in terms of parent-adolescent engagement on issues related to risks associated with sexual behaviours and erroneous reproductive health choices among adolescents. Therefore, there is a need to encourage engagement by creating neutral platforms facilitated by community healthcare providers and/ or social workers. This will help create awareness and bridge the communication and interaction gap by emphasising the importance of effective engagement among adolescents and their parents on matters related to risks associated with sexual behaviours and erroneous reproductive health choices. Post implantation intervention studies are needed to inform on the outcomes of the intervention.

Exploring issues in caregivers and parent communication of sexual and reproductive health matters with adolescents in Ebonyi state, Nigeria

“…Although parents in this study acknowledged that effective SRH discussion with adolescents could be accomplished by either a father or mother, notions about pairing patterns for parent-child communication was gendered. Studies in Africa reveal that parent-child communication of SRH is commonly done along gender lines [10,22]. Hence, suggestions in the study were that pairing for such conversations should be sex-based, that is father-son and mother-daughter and that it is the woman's role and responsibility to communicate SRH issues with her children (boys and girls alike).…”

“…Variables of interest for qualitative study include content of SRH communication, triggers, enablers and constraints, societal (gender) norms/nuances. The variables of interest were derived from studies that explored discussion of sexual and reproductive health matters between parents and their adolescents [10,15].…”

“…Parental discussion about adolescents' sexual and reproductive health (SRH) is very important because adolescents who discuss sex-related matters with their parents are less likely to engage in negative sexual practices [10,11]. Conversely, those who do not engage in discussions of sex-related matters with their parents are more likely to make poor sexual and reproductive health choices [10]. Adolescents have been found to rely mostly on peers and media as sources of information on sexual and reproductive health (SRH).…”

Talking to teenagers regarding sexual and reproductive health: Exploration of parents/guardians’ views in Limpopo province, South Africa

“…Religion has also been cited as a factor that hinders parent-child communication, for example, the Protestant churches and Islams' believe in abstinence before marriage, maintaining of virginity and oppose sex education, and maintains that SRH programmes might encourage adolescents' preoccupation with the sex [5,6]. Religious beliefs had been contended to guide parents on what to discuss with their children, focusing on teaching their daughters about the virtues of virginity and that they should forget about sexual activities until they get married [7]. Hence this religious belief contributes to the hindrance that makes parents fail to communicate with their children about issues of sexual and reproductive health.…”

“…Parents in black African communities are uncomfortable in broaching the subject on reproductive sexual health and shifting this responsibility to the teachers at schools [3]. Furthermore, most male parents perceived talking about sexual health with children as shameful and immoral thus encouraging the children to engage in sexual intercourse [7,8]. Similarly, parents do not talk to their children about SRH topics citing that it was culturally unacceptable [9].…”