Home-Based Sexuality Education in Ghana: The Perspectives of Adolescents and Parents

Abstract

The extant literature has explored sexuality education from the perspectives of the adolescents, but the views of parents are largely neglected. The few studies that have examined the views of both parents and adolescents are selective in scope, coverage, and assessment. There is thus, a dearth of data on the type of topics discussed and the frequency of parent-adolescent sexual communication. The present study sought to explore adolescents’ lived experiences of sexuality education and its impact on their sexual and reproductive health. To achieve this, a qualitative research design with a semi-structured interview was employed to gather data from thirty parents and adolescents in Ablekuma South Metropolis. An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was used in analyzing the data with each theme showing divergence categories of experiences of sexuality education although the views of both parents and adolescents on each category were similar. Parent-adolescent sex communication showed frequently discussed topics and the less discussed ones. Perceptions of sexuality education revealed both positive and negative perceptions. Perceived impact of sexuality education also brought to light both positive and negative impacts. It is recommended that stakeholders ought to institutionalize diverse behavior change interventions such as interpersonal communication and skills training aimed at empowering both parents and adolescents to communicate explicitly about sexuality rather than using euphemisms and timing techniques.

Keywords:

• Sexuality education
• Ablekuma South Metropolis
• Adolescents
• Parents
• Reproductive Health

Ethical approval

The study protocol was approved by the University of Ghana’s Departmental Research and Ethics Committee (DREC/016/20-21)

Author contributions

JOO conceived of the study, participated in the study design, data collection and analysis, and drafted portions of manuscript. JSY conceived of the study, participated in the study design and data analysis, and drafted portions of manuscript. JO participated in study design, data interpretation and drafted portions of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.