Abstract:
ackground: Many factors affect knowledge, attitudes and sexual behaviour of adolescents. In
most cases parents become role models who shape young people's life styles including their sexual behaviors. In Ethiopia, few published studies have examined parent - adolescent communication on sexual and reproductive health issues.
Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the proportion of adolescents who communicate with their parents about sexual and reproductive health issues and identify the factors associated with these communications.
Method: A school based cross-sectional study using both quantitative and qualitative method
was carried out in Sebeta town in April 2014. A total of 361 students were selected by using
stratified random sampling technique. The quantitative data was entered into a computer using
EPIData then cleaned and analyzed using SPSS statistical software version 20.0. Bivariate and
multivariate logistic regression analysis were done to determine the association between the dependent and independent variables. Those variables found significant at P<0.20 in the bivariate
analysis were selected to be included in multivariate analysis. Qualitative data was taped and
transcribed to text then categorized into themes by using manual coding and the main response
was reported in direct quotation to complement the quantitative findings. Summary tables, charts
and graphs were used to organize and present outputs of the analysis.
Results: There response rate was 99.2%. The proportion of students who had ever discussed at
least two topics on SRH issues with their parent was found to be 25.1%. The frequently discussed topics between parent and adolescent were body changes during puberty (57.4%), relationships with the opposite sex (55.6%), and STIs & HIV/AIDS (53.7%). Attitude of students
about SRH issues and perception of students’ about parents attitude {AOR=2.78 [1.47, 5.24]
and AOR=7.57 [3.80, 15.08]}, respectively, were significant predictors of communication.
Conclusion and recommendation: Parent-adolescent communication on SRH issue was very
low. Adolescents who had positive attitude and perceived their parents are supportive, frequently
communicate with their parents. Therefore, it is important to design integrated strategy that promote parent-adolescent communication on SRH issues and improve access to SRH information
through various mechanisms.
