Adolescent Sexual Reproductive Health Education Among Secondary School Students In Zanzibar: A Case Of Urban West Region

ABSTRACT 

Adolescent Sexual Reproductive Health Education is a matter of concern for developed and developing countries due to the fact that most of adolescents suffered from Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH) complications and problems including; teenage pregnancies, Sexual Transmitted Infection (STI‟s) including HIV/AIDS, early marriages and unsafe abortion, immoral sex including; homosexuality, sexual violence and unsafe sex are common practices among Zanzibar students. Accordingly, the objectives of the study were to explore students‟ knowledge on adolescent sexual reproductive health education, analyze adolescent sexual reproductive health education contents, examine students‟ and social perceptions on adolescent sexual reproductive health education and lastly, to identify students‟ attitudes towards healthy sexual behaviors. The qualitative methods of data collection and presentation such as focus group discussion and in depth interview were applied. The findings portray that there is inadequate knowledge of reproductive health education among students and teachers. Besides, the findings confirm that students‟ Adolescent Sexual Reproductive Health Education (ASRHE) depends on teacher‟s knowledge on ASRHE. The content of ASRHE is not well known to teachers and students, most of them confused ASRHE and Life Planning Skills topics. Perception on ASRHE is still debatable among Zanzibar societies. Parents and teachers are still doubting and not aware of what comprised in ASRHE and the approaches used if they are relevant to their norms and values. Attitudes of the students towards healthy sexual behavior are not stable because changing a certain behavior depends on mass of knowledge students have and strategies on how to quit unhealthy sexual behaviour and adopting healthy sexual behaviour. Eventually, the study recommends that the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training and other stakeholders, to offer ASRHE trainings to teachers, students, madras that guarantee availability of skilled facilitators with ability in behavior change. Furthermore, it is essential sensitize parents and society in order to improve co operation between teachers and parents progressing students healthy sexual behaviours.