Parent-child communication about sexual issues in Zambia: a cross sectional study of adolescent girls and their parents

Abstract

Background: Parent-child communication about sexual issues can reduce risky sexual behaviour amongst adolescents. Risky sexual behaviour is of concern in sub-Saharan Africa where the prevalence of early pregnancy, unsafe abortion and HIV are high. Parent-child communication about sexual issues presents a feasible approach for reducing sexual risk amongst adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa but limited research exists from the region. This study from Zambia examines the sociodemographic and psychosocial factors that are associated with whether parents communicate with their daughters about sexual issues. Methods: Data from a cluster randomized controlled trial examining the effect of interventions aiming to reduce teenage pregnancy and school drop out in Zambia was used. The data was collected between January-July in 2018 and consists of structured, face to face interviews with 4343 adolescent girls and 3878 parents. Cross sectional analyses examined the associations between parent-child communication about sexual issues and sociodemographic and psychosocial characteristics using univariate and multivariable logistic regression models. Results: Adolescent girls who felt connected to their parents and those who perceived their parents to be comfortable in communicating about sex, were more likely to speak to their parents about sexual issues than those who did not (AOR 1.23, 95% CI 1.01-1.52; and AOR 2.94, 95% CI 2.45-3.54, respectively). Girls whose parents used fearbased communication about sexual issues, and those who perceived their parents as being opposed to education about contraception, were less likely to communicate with their parents about sex than those who did not (AOR 0.76, 95% CI 0.65-0.89; and AOR 0.76, 95% CI 0.63-0.91, respectively). Girls enrolled in school were less likely to communicate with their parents about sex than those out of school (AOR 0.56, 95% CI 0.44-0.71). Conclusion: Parenting style, children's perception of parental attitudes and parental communication styles are associated with whether parents and children communicate about sexual issues. This may imply that parents can improve the chances of communicating with their children about sex by conveying non-judgemental attitudes, using open communication styles with neutral messages and appearing comfortable whilst displaying positive attitudes towards communication around sex and contraceptive use.

Gender implications in sex education, knowledge, and vulnerability to sexually transmitted infections of healthcare students

“…Although adolescents and young women have better access to sexual health information through their parents, primarily their mothers, whom they can dialogue with about sexuality and sexual experiences (Measor, 2015), this study found that men were more included in the transmission of knowledge within their respective families. The study's results match with that of Isaksen and collaborators (Isaksen et al, 2020) who found that less than half of the girls had spoken with their parents about romantic and/or sexual issues, but that proximity through family connection was a key factor for obtaining information. Parents play a key role in deciding when their children begin engaging in sexual intercourse, impeding early sexual activity (França & Frio, 2018).…”

Narratives on Sex and Contraception From Pregnant Adolescent Women in a Northern Province in Thailand: A Phenomenological Study

“…Additionally, parent-child communication about sexual issues and contraception use is averted when parents feel uncomfortable and fear as they would perpetuate their own early sexual practices and negative attitudes towards contraception. 47,48 Therefore, given the potential that parentchild communication about sexual issues may have in reducing adolescent sexual risk, 47,49 the findings suggest the efforts to increase parent-child communication may benefit from using open communication with neutral messages and appearing comfortable to display positive attitudes towards communication around sex and contraceptive use.…”

Prevalence of and factors associated with unintended pregnancies among sexually active undergraduates in mainland China

“…Furthermore, individuals who report that their family members approve of premarital sex were more likely to experience UIP. Therefore, students' family members, especially their parents must be involved in educational programs to foster their values related to responsible sexual behavior and wise decision making [21][22][23][24]. An optimal family centered approach is expected to create an environment where parents communicate with their adolescent children about sexual issues more frequently and with greater ease [21][22][23][24].…”