| dc.description.abstract | This study addresses the issues of family communication on sexuality and reproductive
health, between the family and adolescents. The need for the study arose from the fact
that inspite, of information received by adolescents on sexuality and reproductive health
there are still, problems/ challenges on sexuality and reproductive health. This study set
out to; assess The role of the family in early adolescents sexuality and reproductive health
and specifically, establish the family level of understanding of adolescence, establish the
nature or problems faced by adolescents, identify the nature of challenges against
effective participation of the family and to establish how families cope with sexuality and
reproductive health among early adolescent. During the study the adolescents revealed
that they were aware of the dangers of premarital sex (100%) but the level of awareness
varied, with some only aware of one or two dangers. They listed unwanted pregnancies,
Sexual Transmitted Diseases, majority of the pupils (95.0%) had heard of condoms, of
the 22 girls who were interviewed only 31.8% had started undergoing menstruation.
The study revealed that out of 40 respondents 12 had, had sexual intercourse but only 3%
indicated that it was a painful experience and therefore unlikely to withstand. 75%
however found it an enjoyable experience, 91.7% of the early adolescent who had sexual
encounters did not use condoms therefore engaging in irresponsible sexual behaviors. ~
One pupil admitted to have contracted STD as a result of irresponsible sex.
The study also revealed that majority of parents, (73.5%) is not aware of their children
needs, only 27.5% talked about sexuality and reproductive health. The level of awareness
is low and this is worsened by negative attitudes towards the topic as was suggested by
20% of the respondents. There is an indication that cultural factors promote shyness to
both parents and their children to talk about matters of sexuality and reproductive health
freely .
Moreover the majority of the parents has attained secondary education but is aged above
thirty five (60%). The result of this study showed that a majority of parents are not aware
of their children's need at the stage of early adolescent. This was corroborated by the
pupils who contend that information is inadequate What is striking is that 67.5% of
respondents are normally not satisfied with the content of information revealed to them
by friends, parents and teachers.
There is need for dissemination of relevant knowledge and information of relevant
knowledge, to not only children at adolescent stage but also their parents and teachers to
ensure the cycle of triangular awareness is completed among the school teaches, house,
parents and adolescent children.
This research aimed at addressing pertinent Issues m family communication and
information sharing on sexuality and reproductive health. Attempts are made to
determine the role of family communication and factors that influence communication in
the low-income earners ofKisumu city, Kenya.
This study was both qualitative and quantitative. Data was generated from both
secondary and primary sources. Winam division of Kisumu district was purposively
selected for the study. The study employed stratified sampling to select schools from each
three zones within the division.
The study made use of individual interviews, supplemented by Focus Group Discussions
(FGD's), case histories and Direct observations, that were guided by observation guide or
checklist. Data collected were analyzed by using excel and statistical package of social
sciences (SPSS) and further presented'using descriptive statistics.
The study, on the basis of its finding recommended that:
• Research should be intensified on family communication, between adults and
adolescents concerning sexuality and reproductive health in urban areas
• Devise ways of improving health education to enhance understanding and
practices on sex related issues and reproductive health among early adolescents.
• Government should enact laws governing sexual education and reproductive
health.
• The role of the media in enhancing adolescent sexuality and reproductive health
should be investigated.
• Determine and initiate relevant poverty eradication programmes among
commercial sex workers to provide alternative sources of income thereby free
families to discuss sexuality and reproductive health matters.
• Find out the impact of mass media censure in controlling sex among adolescents
in urban areas
• Replicate a similar study on a wider scale to cover urban areas and slums in other
cities for effective comparison. | en |
