Perspectives on sex education in relation to sexual health of teenagers in Zambia

Abstract

This research explores the perspectives on sex education in relation to sexual health of teenagers in Zambia. The research aimed at exploring the perspectives of various stakeholders (teenagers, parents, teachers, pastors and traditional counsellors) on the role of sex education to promote the sexual health of young people in Zambia. The study is guided by the theoretical perspectives of the sociology of childhood, which consider childhood as a social construct and children as social actors capable of constructing their own social lives and the lives of those around them. The rights based approach is also employed focusing on the protection rights, right to health and participation rights. The ecological system theory is also part of the study to explore how the interactions and relationships of different environments can affect the teaching of sex education. The study used qualitative research methods drawing 43 participants from Ndola district of Zambia. Methods used were body maps with 12 teenagers, focus group discussions with 32 teenagers and semi structured interviews with 12 teenagers, 4 parents, 2 teachers, 2 pastors and 2 traditional counsellors. Un structured observation was used as an accompaniment to all the three methods used in the study to capture the body language and culture behaviour exhibited by participants during data collection period. The study revealed that mothers or female guardians are more involved in sex education than fathers who are constrained with productive work and the culture aspect, which does not allow men to discuss sexual matters with especially their daughters as it was considered taboo. Other sources of information on sexuality for teenagers were the media, friends and school where they got more information, as the one from parents was more of the negative part of sex with emphasise on the effects of premarital sex such as pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases. Findings show that society was not comfortable with information coming from friends and the media as it might not give accurate information, thus they were more comfortable with the school to take up sex education. School was seen as a better place to capture a lot of teenagers, offer evidence based and correct harmful sexual practises such as the use of herbs by women to tighten vaginas and having multiple sexual partners as a way of gaining experience by men. However due to the influence of Christianity schools have put more emphasis on abstinence as the only way to avoid pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases. On the other hand, tradition encourages boys to practise premarital sex to gain experience but both Christianity and tradition does not allow the use of contraceptives making it hard for the school and society to provide contraceptives to the young people. Nonavailability of contraceptives has disadvantaged young people who are sexually active putting their sexual health at risk. These findings have important implications for policy makers to try to implement measures on the teaching of sex education that will cater for needs of the young people including those who are already sexually active to try to improve the sexual health of teenagers in Zambia.