Sexual and reproductive health information sources preferred by out-of-school adolescents in rural southwest Uganda

Abstract

This paper defines how out-of-school adolescents from Masaka District in rural southwest Uganda currently receive sexual and reproductive health information and how they would prefer to receive that information. Information adolescents feel they lack falls into three broad categories: sexual and reproductive health issues, the negotiation of sex and sexual relationships, and making the transition to adulthood. The preferred source for information depends on the type of information to be delivered, the overriding principle being that the source must be authoritative in that type of information. Current information sources including family, peers and media are perceived as either flawed or insufficient. Preferable sources fall into three categories based on the type of information provided: accurate sexual and reproductive health information should come from trained community and media-based rather than clinic-based health educators; information about negotiation of good relationships and the negotiation of sex and condom use within relationships should come from an up-skilled traditional source, ssenga (paternal aunt), particularly for young women; and social information about becoming a good adult should come from parents, grandparents, church and community leaders. All information should be positively framed and non-judgemental. Centrally coordinated community health promotions delivered by trained community-based health educators, ssenga and parents, guided and supported by existing radio and print media, are required.

Acknowledgements

Professors Jack Caldwell and Bob Douglas of the Australian National University assisted with funding the fieldwork. The efforts of Stella Nyanzi and Catherine Kibirige in producing such fine translations were invaluable.

Notes

^1. As a member of the Bantu language group, ganda is the stem to which prefixes denoting the qualities of the noun are added; kiganda refers to the cultural things, luganda is the language, muganda means one ganda person, and baganda is the plural meaning ganda people.