Parents' Attitudes to Adolescent Sexual Behaviour in Lesotho

Abstract

This study investigated the knowledge, attitudes and opinions of parents on various aspects of adolescents' sexual and reproductive health in Lesotho. The study used a qualitative methodology. Findings reveal that parents are aware that male and female adolescents engage in sexual relationships. Some parents believe that adolescents are too young to initiate sexual activities while others said they don't mind older unmarried adolescents having sex. In addition, parents felt that adolescents do not face discrimination in obtaining family planning services. In relation to passing sexual and reproductive health knowledge to adolescents, there seems to be a dilemma on who should take the responsibility. A number of policy implications have emerged from this study. There should be awareness campaign for parents who are not aware that adolescents engage in sexual relationships. Parents should be encouraged to communicate with their adolescent children on sex-related matters. Government should carry on with the dialogue on introducing sex education in schools curriculum. méthodologie qualitative. Les résultats ont révélé que les parents sont au courant que les adolescents de sexes masculin et féminin s'engagent dans des rapports sexuels. De plus, les parents ont estimé que les adolescents ne subissent pas la discrimination par rapport à l'accès aux services de la planification familiale. Quand il s'agit de la transmission de la connaissance sur la santé sexuelle et reproductive aux adolescents, il paraît qu'il y a un dilemme pour savoir qui doit pendre la responsabilité. Cette étude a révélé pas mal d'implications pour la politique. Il faut qu'il y ait des campagnes de sensibilisation pour les parents qui ne sont pas au courant que les adolescents s'engagent dans des rapports sexuels. Il faut encourager les parents de communiquer avec leurs enfants adolescents en matières liées à la sexualité. Il faut que le gouvernement continuer le dialogue sur l'introduction de l'éducation sexuelle dans les programmes scolaires. (Rev Afr Santé Reprod 2003; 7[2]: 25-33)

Factors Affecting Parent-Adolescent Discussion on Reproductive Health Issues in Harar, Eastern Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…The study was a cross-sectional design in nature using a mixed method in the view of the sensitivity and complexity of reporting sexual and reproductive health [10]. A qualitative method was used to better understand about underlying behaviors, attitudes, perceptions and culture about reproductive health from perspectives of parents and adolescents [11, 12].…”

Parent-young people communication about sexual and reproductive health in E/Wollega zone, West Ethiopia: Implications for interventions

“…Qualitative research was used to complement the quantitative study to widen our insights about both parents’ and young people’s perspectives with regard to communication about sexual and reproductive health matters as such information couldn’t be collected through a quantitative study design [17]. Both male and female parents were include in the FGDs as we were interested to see the perceptions of both parents and young people from their own perspectives.…”

“…Thus, families, as primary socializing agent and live models for their children need to play an important role in shaping the sexual life of their offspring but only if parents were open, skilled and comfortable in having those discussion [17]. However, not much support is offered for parent communication, and parents often do not talk to their children because they feel confused, ill-informed, or embarrassed about these topics [18].…”

Not such a different world: providing contraception services in Lesotho

“…Sex is not undertaken before marriage in the traditional culture. However, premarital childbearing seems to be increasing and it is becoming acceptable for young people to kiss and hug in public places 8. Parents interviewed by Mturi in 2003 were often accepting of young people having sexual relationships, but it was rare for parents to discuss sex with their children and only a minority felt able to offer advice about contraception 8.…”

“…However, premarital childbearing seems to be increasing and it is becoming acceptable for young people to kiss and hug in public places 8. Parents interviewed by Mturi in 2003 were often accepting of young people having sexual relationships, but it was rare for parents to discuss sex with their children and only a minority felt able to offer advice about contraception 8. Many parents were confused by the use of the term ‘family planning’ to describe contraception services and stated that adolescents should not access these services because they were too young to start a family.…”