Awareness on Sexual and Reproductive Health among in School Early Adolescents

Admassu, Serkadis (2015) Awareness on Sexual and Reproductive Health among in School Early Adolescents. Masters thesis, Addis Ababa University.

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Abstract

Background Early adolescence (10-14 years of age) is a critical stage of rapid physical, mental and emotional change and growth. This development phase is marked by dynamic combination of opportunities and risks that set a stage for future sexual and reproductive health. Yet, little is known about this age group’s awareness about their sexual and reproductive health risks and vulnerabilities. Moreover, most interventions and researches focus on older adolescents and youths, overlooking early adolescents. Evidences on this age group’s awareness about their sexual and reproductive health are essential to improve programming as well as future interventions targeting the group. Objective This research aims to assess level of awareness about SRH among in school early adolescent in Addis Ababa. Methods A Cross sectional study was conducted to assess the level of awareness about SRH among early adolescents in selected government schools of Addis Ababa. Quantitative method was used to generate information from early adolescents and qualitative method was employed to school management, SRH club leaders and parents of early adolescents. With the application of multi stage cluster sampling technique, a total of 803 early adolescents (10-14 years of age) were engaged from elven government primary schools in Addis Ababa. Single population proportion is used to calculate the total sample size, Quantitative data was collected using pre-tested structured questionnaires and qualitative data using in-depth interview and FGD guides. The Quantitative data were entered into Epi Info and analyzed by SPSS software for windows while qualitative data were entered categorized and interpreted using open code. Result Nearly half (46%) of early adolescents do not have awareness about reproductive health related issues. Early adolescents who are grade 8 were more likely to have higher awareness on SRH issues compared to grade 5 (Adjusted OR = 1.5; 95% CI 1.0 to 2.2). Early adolescents who have less gender attitude were more likely to have less level of SRH awareness compared to those who have good gender attitude (Adjusted OR = 1.2; 95% CI 1.1 to 1.3). Early adolescents, who don’t have strong self-efficacy is 1.2 times less likely to have SRH awareness (Adjusted OR = 1.2; 95% CI 1.1 to 1.3). Parents don’t believe discussing SRH related issues with early adolescents unless they observe behavioral change. School clubs are providing limited information on SRH and most information come from Biology(integrated science) classes at each grade. Conclusion In this study, significant numbers of early adolescents were found not to have awareness about SRH. The awareness level increases with age and grade. Adolescents who could discuss SRH issue with their mother found to have increased level of awareness. Moreover, those who had good gender attitude and high self-efficacy also had increased level of SRH awareness. Teachers were the main sources for SRH information.

Item Type:	Thesis (Masters)
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Early adolescents; Sexual and reproductive health awareness; awareness; in school, Addis Ababa
Subjects:	R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine R Medicine > RJ Pediatrics > RJ101 Child Health. Child health services
Divisions:	Africana
Depositing User:	Emmanuel Ndorimana
Date Deposited:	29 Nov 2018 10:34
Last Modified:	29 Nov 2018 10:34
URI:	http://thesisbank.jhia.ac.ke/id/eprint/7983

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