Exploration of Sexual Health Communication between Parents and their Children in Ubungo Municipality, Dar es Salaam Tanzania

Abstract

Purpose of the research was to investigate the communication and knowledge linkage between parents and adolescents on sexual health communication. The knowledge levels of sexual health of both parents and adolescents were assessed. Obstacles hindering this communication were explored. Talking cure linkage between parents and adolescents were carefully looked at who talks to who, when to communicate and where. 150 participants were selected at Ubungo Municipality in Dar es Salaam, using stratified sampling technique. A sample of randomly selected parents and their children aged 10-19. Parents were biological or guardians having experience of rearing the adolescents at a certain specific time and live with them. Data were collected by questionnaire technique, documentary reviews, interviews and focused group discussion. Few parents (34%) communicate sexual and reproductive health matters with their children. 59% of parents are not aware if their children have close friends of opposite sex and those who know 44% were told by other people, 15% catch SMSs/contraceptives/love letters, 10% just guess, 5% revealing themselves, 20% after dropping academically and 5% loose of respect. The study revealed some barriers hindering sexual health communication between parents and their children that, most parents escaping their role towards informing the adolescents’ on sexual related matters. Special interventions therefore are needed at adoption and implementation levels which should involve changing policies. There should be kind of collaboration between researchers and programme developers on the one side and on the other side stakeholders, government officials and target groups (children as recipients and parents as deliverers).