Communication barriers around Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH) within families that lead to increase in teenage pregnancy and vulnerability to HIV/AIDS

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The increasing rate of teenage pregnancy and new HIV/AIDS infections among South African young girls became a driving force to investigate the nature of this phenomenon. Parent child communication on sexual reproductive health is found to be more effective to reduce early unwanted pregnancies and HIV/AIDS infection rate. Many parents who communicated sexuality issues with daughters has failed to discuss sensitive issues including; how HIV/AIDS and STDs are spread, condom use and physical development but do so on less sensitive issues like the consequences of unprotected sex. Communication between mothers and daughters on sexuality issues is affected by various factors. However, the goal of this study was to gain in-depth the communication barriers on sexual reproductive health issues between mothers and daughters, guided by the research question.The objectives set for the study were to identify the existing knowledge on sexual reproductive health from mothers; to evaluate factors affects communication on SRH; to assess the messages regarding SRH provided to young girls; to determine the channels of communication on SRH between mothers and daughters; and to provide guidelines for effective communication strategies.A descriptive explorative qualitative research study was done among twenty mothers of young girls in Khayamandi. A stratified random sampling was used to obtain information from mothers with the understanding they are the ones who tend to initiate conversations with daughters about sexual reproductive health issues. The study used an in-depth interview tool and focused on existing knowledge on sexual reproductive health issues, communication channels used, messages provided to young girls and provision of effective communication strategies that promotes healthy relationships. Qualitative data analysis was done to answer the questions. Data that emerged from the data analysis was coded and categorised into themes.Findings from this study show most of the participants understood that communication on sexuality issues should involve enforcing safer sex HIV-related behaviors and pregnancy prevention. The most sensitive part of sexuality issues such as explanation on condom use; how HIV/AIDS and STDs are contracted as well as physical development of the child (puberty) are not discussed. Various factors identified as preventing communication include, perceived attitude of young girls on receiving information; environmental, socio cultural and educational factors. A mutual feeling expressed is; communication requires highest level of education which some did not have. There was a fear that conversations will direct children to engage into sexual activities. Socio-cultural factors including taboos, blame and criticism from the community had negative impact on communication. Communication between mother and daughter on sexual reproductive health requires basic skill and knowledge on the subject. Barrier factors identified need to be researched among a larger group of mothers in different race and different parts of the country to add to the depth of the problem and to justify development of need based program intervention. There is emerging need to develop a goal directed intervention for empowering of mothers to communicate with young girls about the full range of sexual reproductive health issues.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University