PARENT ADOLESCENT COMMUNICATION ON SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH AMONG SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN SIRISIA SUB-COUNTY, KENYA

*Hedwick. N. Wasike, Peter Odera and Mary Kipmerewo

ABSTRACT

A cross sectional study was conducted to evaluate parent- adolescent communication on sexual and reproductive health among secondary school students in Sirisia Sub-County, Bungoma County, Kenya. Specifically the study was to determine the level of knowledge of parents and adolescents towards sexual and reproductive health, determine the sources of information for adolescent communication on sexual and reproductive health and identify the factors affecting parent-adolescent communication. The study population was made up of 697 secondary school students, 29 teachers and 48 parents. Data was collected using structured questionnaire, Key informant interview guide and focused group discussion. The findings indicated that parent-adolescent communication on sexual and reproductive health in Sirisia Sub County was influenced by Level of education of parents. Those whose fathers had no education or had attained primary education were 2.5 less likely to be knowledgeable than those whose parents had secondary or tertiary education (OR: 0.4; 95% CI: 0.3 – 0.6; p < 0.0001), the main source of adolescent SRH information was from peers (OR: 6.6; 95% CI: 3.1 – 13.9; p <0.0001) and cultural norms (OR: 0.2; 95% CI: 0.01 – 0.82; p =0.009). Fear of discussion (OR: 0.2; 95% CI: 0.1 – 08; p =0.01) was one of the major factors that affected communication. The study recommended the need for deliberate by parents and adolescents to bridge the cultural and generational communication barriers as identified in the study. There should also be proper and flexible channels of communication between parents and adolescents that guarantees the credibility of information shared.

Keywords: Reproductive health, sexuality, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Adolescent parent communication.