Comparative study on youth communication concerning sexual and reproductive health issues and its outcome on sexual initiation among youth in Garba Guracha Town, North Showa Zone of Oromia Region.
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Date
2012-05
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Back ground information: Studies conducted in developing and developed countries show that
parent-youth communication on SRH matters has positive influences on good relationships
between parents and their children as well as healthy sexual behaviors of young people which
remain uncommon in our community since sexuality communication with any one is regarded as
taboo and shame.
Objective: To assess parent-youth communication on SRH issues and its outcome on sexual
initiation among in and out of school youth in Garba Guracha Town.
Methods: A comparative Cross-sectional study supported with focus group discussion was
conducted on 507 in and 507 out of school youth in Garba Guracha Town, Kuyu Woreda, North
Showa Zone of Oromia Region between November 1 and 16, 2011. A multistage sampling
technique was employed. A pre-tested structured self-administered questionnaire was used for
the quantitative study while a semi-structured guideline was used for the focus group discussion.
Bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions were used to analyze the data using SPSS version
20.0.
Results: A total of 936 in and out-of-school respondents were included in this study. One
hundred eighty seven (20.0%) respondents from whom, 170(24.9%) in-school and 70(15.0%)
out-of-school youth ever had discussed on at least two topics of SRH issues. Communication
was mostly based on same sex basis (mother-daughter and father-son). Being in-school
(AOR=2.298; 95%CI=1.46 to 3.59), having literate father (AOR=1.93; 95%CI=1.27 to 2.94),
having literate mother, having informed about SRH issues (AOR=1.57; 95%CI=1.02 to 2.42),
and having positive attitude towards parent-youth communication on SRH issues (AOR=3.93;
95%CI=1.85 to 8.30) was identified as variables that may influence parent-youth communication
on SRH issues. Two hundred eighty eight (30.8%) of in and out-of-school youth was sexually
active. Being out-of-school was positively associated with youth sexual initiation of youth
(AOR=2.16; 95%CI=1.45 to 3.23). But parent youth communication on at least two topics of
SRH issues did not show any statistical relation with sexual initiation of youth.
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Conclusion: From this study it was clearly noted that the level of parent youth communication
on SRH issues was lower. Gender, School status, having heard about SRH issue, having positive
attitude towards parent youth communication on SRH issues, educational level of mother and
father was identified as the variables that could influence parent youth communication on SRH
issues. This study also indicated that parent youth communication on at least two topics of SRH
issues did not showed any effect on sexual initiation of youth.
Recommendation: Schools have to incorporate SRH issue in the school curriculum and giving
home take assignment to be completed by both parent and youths. Local media should be
strengthened on provision of sexuality information. Governmental and NGOs in collaboration
with Woreda youth and culture should work on the areas of youth center to reach out-of-school
youth. Program designed to enhance parent-youth communication and ASRH should consider
parents of youth. Quality of parent-youth communication on SRH issues and mode of
communication has to be studied further.
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Keywords
SRH issues, Youth, Sexual Initiation