Assessment of parent-adolescent communication and associated factors on sexual and reproductive health issues at Fagita Lokoma district in Awi zone, Northwest Ethiopia

Abstract

Introduction: The health threats for adolescents today are predominantly behavioral rather than biomedical and more of today’s adolescents are involved in health behavior with potential for serious consequence. Parent-adolescent communication on sexual and reproductive health issues remains a challenge in many sub-Saharan African countries including Ethiopia and problems of adolescents are rising from time to time. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the extent of parent-adolescent communication and associated factors on adolescents, sexual and RH issues at Fagita Lokoma district in Awi Zone, Northwest Ethiopia. Methods: Institution based quantitative cross-sectional study design and qualitative techniques were conducted among adolescents and selected parents respectively, living in Fagita Lokoma district. A total of695inschooladolescentsaged 13-19 years enrolled in grade 9-12 for the academic year 2011/2012were selected using multistage sampling technique and selected parents in the community using purposive sampling technique. Six trained data collectors and two supervisors were involved in the data collection process. Pretested anonymous structured self administered questionnaires were used to collect quantitative data among adolescents, which were entered, cleaned using EPI info and analyzed using SPSS version 16.0. Qualitative information was obtained from four focus group discussions among parents. Odds ratio with 95% confidence interval and logistic regression data analysis techniques was employed. Results: About 50.6%of the adolescents communicated with either of their parents in at least two topics of SRH issues. Educational level of the adolescents, knowledge on contraceptives and perceived openness on communication were significant with parent adolescent communication. Conclusion and recommendation: The study has shown low level of parent-adolescent communication on SRH issues. Hence, sensitize the community to encourage open communication among family members in general and between parents and adolescents in particular.