Assessment of Parent-Adolescent Communication about Sexual and Reproductive Health among High School Students in Mekelle Town, Northern Ethiopia
Parents have the potential to protect against adolescent sexual risk, including early sexual behavior and its outcomes such as unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. The objective of this study therefore was to assess the status of adolescent-parent communication about sexual and reproductive health and associated factors among school students. Institution based cross sectional study was conducted. Data were entered, cleaned and analyzed using SPSS. A total of 521 students were included in the study, making a response rate of 97%. Three hundred (57.6%) adolescents discussed about at least one sexual and reproductive health issues with their parents. Educational status of adolescents’ parents, students’ living arrangement and level of education of respondents were found to be independent predictors of adolescents’ communication. Thus, the MOH and other concerned stakeholders working in areas of reproductive health should strengthen IEC targeting adolescents and their parents to promote their awareness.
