Factors hindering parents from discussing reproductive Health issues with their children, particularly boys at Kasungu District Hospital

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Date
2008-11
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Kamuzu University of Health Sciences
Abstract
This was a descriptive quantitative study that aimed at exploring factors hindering parents from discussing Reproductive Health(RH) issues with their children particularly boys at Kasungu District Hospital. A sample of 30 parents(l I fathers and 19 mothers)was chosen by random sampling. The subjects were each interviewed using a questionnaire which had mostly open ended questions, although it also had some closed ended questions. The Health Belief Model guide the study. Data collected were analyzed manually and Microsoft Excel also played a role in the process of data analysis. The findings have been presented in percentages, frequency tables, pie charts, bar graphs, as well as in writing. The results of the study indicated that 90% respondents had some knowledge about RH,a1though, fewer than these(60%), knew components of RH. Of those interviewed, only 74.07% (n-20) said they discussed RH issues with their children. Each parent could discuss one or more RH issues. Some of the issues discussed were abstinence (44.4%),abstinence and exclusive breast feeding (11.1 %),abstinence and VCT (11.1%),abstinence and bodily changes (3.7%).In general, some parents (25.9%), did not discuss any RH issue with their children citing the following reasons: Children were too young to understand this topic (18.5%), parents were themselves shy with their children (3.7%) and the children were themselves more educated than their parents and therefore knew more of this topic than their parents did (3.75). The researcher also wanted to find out whether or not parents discussed RH issues with both boys and girls. The study found out that the majority (75%) avoided boys citing the following reasons: Boys tend to be aggressive and some even threatened to beat them (parents) up (20%), 15% said they(parents) were themselves shy to discuss RH with their boys as they culturally considered boys their 'fathers,' while 25% said that boys were not as vulnerable as girls and so, they would prefer discussing the topic with girls for they are Vulnerable and they also start risky behaviors much earlier (younger) than boys do. Only 5% of respondents said they avoided boys because boys themselves were shy with them (parents). In view of the findings, some recommendations were made to help enhance youth RH.
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