Barriers to Sexual and Reproductive Health Communication in Southwest Ethiopia: Perspectives of Parents, Youths, and Teachers

Abraham Tamirat Gizaw^1*Sualiha Abdulkader Muktar²Yohannes Addisu³Mengistu Sebsibe⁴Belay Zeleke Sefere⁵Kasahun Girma Tareke¹Abebayehu N. Yilma^6,7

• ¹Faculty of Public Health, Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Institute of Health, Jimma University, Jimma, Oromia Region, Ethiopia
• ²International Institute for Primary Health Care, Addis Ababba, Ethiopia
• ³Dilla University, Dilla, SNNPR, Ethiopia
• ⁴School of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute of Health, Jimma University, Jimma, Oromia Region, Ethiopia
• ⁵Bonga College of Teacher Education, Bonga, Ethiopia
• ⁶Department of Public Health Sciences, College of Medicine, The Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, Pennsylvania, United States
• ⁷Institutes for Energy and the Environment, College of Agricultural Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, United States

Background: Youths throughout the world face considerable challenges related to their sexual and reproductive health (SRH). In Ethiopia, the adolescent and youth groups account for nearly half the population. Parents play a vital role in sexual and reproductive health (SRH) communication. Parents' communication with their youths regarding SRH is considered an important part of adolescent development, as this contributes to optimizing safe SRH. Therefore, this study aimed to explore barriers to SRH communication from the perspectives of parents, youths, and teachers in Southwest Ethiopia. Methods: A qualitative research approach was used in four schools (2 private and 2 public) schools of Jimma town. Data collection entailed 16 focused group discussions (FGDs) of parents, youths (15-24 years) and 12 key informant interviews (KIIs) of school directors, unit leaders and school mini-media coordinators. Interviews were audiorecorded, transcribed, and translated into English. Thematic analysis was conducted using Atlas_ti software. Results: Participants recognized the crucial role parents play in SRH issues; however, only a few parents were involved in SRH communications, and there were many barriers raised by the participants. Barriers toward SRH communications were; parental lack of knowledge, cultural and religious beliefs, effect of social media use, shame and stigma, and parental attitudes towards SRH communication. Conclusions: In sum, addressing barriers to sexual and reproductive health communication between parents and youth is crucial for fostering healthier outcomes. Parents should be encouraged to have open discussions with their children from an early age. High schools should implement regular SRH education sessions with healthcare providers, while youth-friendly services clubs can focus on changing attitudes towards SRH communications through social and behavioral change communication.