Advancing sexual and reproductive health outcomes in rural schools with the use of a sexuality education enhancement model: learners' perspectives (original) (raw)
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African Journal of Gender, Society and Development, 2023
Sexuality education seeks to provide school-going adolescents with knowledge and skills to help them make better decisions, boost their self-efficacy, and ultimately improve their sexual and reproductive health (SRH) outcomes. However, due to prevailing contextual factors, school-based sexuality education is thought to have a limited impact on the SRH of learners living in rural areas compared to those living in urban and semiurban areas. This study explored the learners' lived experiences with sexuality education in rural South Africa in 2020. Focus group interviews were conducted with 84 learners who were purposively sampled from nine schools. An interpretative phenomenological analysis framework was used to analyse the data from the interviews. The findings revealed that sexuality education's impact on adolescents includes reduced teenage pregnancy, reduced sexually transmitted infections, and increased self-awareness, while others felt it encourages risky sexual activities. This study recommends interventions to enhance sexuality education programmes in the research setting.
Sexuality Research and Social Policy, 2021
Introduction The school-based sexuality education programmes in South Africa aim to improve the sexual and reproductive health of school-going adolescents. However, the high rate of unplanned pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections among learners in some schools in rural areas of King Cetshwayo district suggests that the programmes in these schools might not be effective due to certain learner-centred factors. Method This qualitative study explored lived experiences of 84 learners from nine public schools in 2020 through focus group interviews. Data was analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Results Learner-centred barriers to effective school-based sexuality education identified in this study were attitudes, age disparity, psychological status, peer pressure, socioeconomic status, the exploratory attitude of learners, media, lack of role models, previous experiences, socioeconomic status, and lack of parental love. These factors could reduce good sexual health. Learner-targeted interventions such as campaigns, using guest professionals, condom distribution, videos, on-site family planning, formal demonstrations, and on-site counselling could address these barriers. Conclusions Addressing these barriers and implementing the proposed interventions will enhance school-based sexuality education and consequently improve adolescents' sexual health. Policy Implications The findings could guide programming, implementation, and delivery of school-based sexuality education leading to improved adolescents' sexual and reproductive health.
Enhancing School-Based Sexuality Education in Rural Areas of South Africa: Educators' Perspectives
Journal of Educational and Social Research, 2022
Sexuality Education aims to reduce teenage pregnancies and other consequences of risky sexual practices such as sexually transmitted infections including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) among young people. This descriptive-explorative study explored and described how teachers in the senior phase at Soutpansberg West Circuit, South Africa perceived Sexuality Education in their schools. Ten purposively recruited teachers in the research setting were individually interviewed in 2019. The collected data were thematically analysed. The research findings revealed the teachers' perceived benefits of Sexuality Education, the barriers to Sexuality Education and impact of Sexuality Education on senior level learners in the study setting. Furthermore, it emerged that teachers used different approaches such as lectures, questions and answers, class discussions, and targeted individuals to facilitate Sexuality Education lessons in their schools. This study recommends the provision of support to teachers through training, access to relevant curriculum resources, as well as the monitoring and evaluation of Sexuality Education programmes in the study setting.
African Perspectives of Research in Teaching and Learning Journal, 2024
The effectiveness of sexuality education programmes depends on teachers' approaches to curriculum delivery. The effectiveness of sexuality education among school-going adolescents could be enhanced if teachers' pedagogical approaches are understood and supported by all stakeholders. This study determined the approaches used for delivering sexuality education curricula at the selected rural schools from learners' perspectives. Leveraging a phenomenological lens, this study explored rural learners' lived experiences of sexuality education programme in their schools located in King Cetshwayo district, South Africa. Focus group interviews were conducted in 2020 in nine rural high schools. Eighty-four learners were purposively sampled to participate in the study. Transcribed data from the focus group interviews was analysed using the interpretative phenomenological analysis framework and the Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills (IMB) model. Findings revealed two approaches used by educators to deliver sexuality education in the research setting, namely, structured and unstructured learning approaches. The study additionally highlighted areas of the curriculum covered by educators in these rural-based schools. I recommend rigorous and continuous training of teachers on sexuality education curriculum contents and pedagogy to enhance the effectiveness of curriculum implementation in the research setting.
Sexual knowledge and practice of adolescent learners in a rural South African school
African Health Sciences, 2020
Background: Premature sexual activity has become a norm in South African society, often resulting in teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases (STD). Occurrence of premature sexual activity is related to insufficient education, gender inequal- ities, household poverty and place of residence. The Stepping Stones project uses a 10-session programme to educate learners about relationships, HIV-prevention and teenage pregnancy. The purpose was to measure and describe learners’ sexual knowl- edge and activities in a rural technical secondary school in North-west Province, South Africa. Methods: A cross-sectional survey. Questionnaires were distributed to learners in grade 8 to 12. Descriptive statistics was used in analysis. Results: Seventy-nine questionnaires were analysed. Despite a young sample, 26.6% were sexually active and 24.1% engaged in sexual activity. The mean age for first-time sexual intercourse was 15.2±2.3 years. The use of contraceptives was low (41.2%) and par...
Sex Education in Rural Schools of Mpumalanga Province, South Africa
Journal of Social Sciences, 2012
This study reports part of the findings of an ongoing study, which aimed to capture views about how sex-related content is addressed at three rural secondary schools in the province of Mpumalanga. The study captured the views of 14 Life Orientation teachers, of whom 9 were females and 5 were males in the age range of 30 and 45 years. The sample was selected purposefully on the basis that they had undergone sex education training offered by the Department of Education. Data were collected using qualitative research methods involving individual and focus group interviews. The findings of data which were analysed for content reveal teachers' preference to: (a) outsource the services to other non-teaching professionals, (b) omit the content which they consider sensitive and (c) to postpone sex-related lesson until the year ends. The paper concludes that if teacher education and in-service training programmes are not intensified to equip teachers with the necessary skills and knowledge to address sex education in schools; and if some of the beliefs about the subject are not challenged, South Africa may fail in the fight against sex-related problems which continue to scourge lives of young people.
Pharos Journal of Theology, 2023
Despite the implementation of a school-based sexuality education programme meant to promote learners' sexual and reproductive health (SRH), the incidence of sexually transmitted infections (STI) and teenage pregnancy is increasing rapidly in South Africa. This phenomenon can be observed in rural schools such as those in King Cetshwayo district in the Kwazulu Natal Province. We argue that it is critical to investigate the contextual factors that influence the effectiveness of sexuality education in these schools, which ultimately impacts the learners' sexual health outcomes. The paper applies an information-motivation-behavioural skills model as its theoretical paradigm for this qualitative, phenomenological study. In 2020, nine focus group interviews were conducted to gather in-depth experiences and perspectives from a purposively sampled group of learners in the study setting. The analysis of the collected data was guided by the interpretative phenomenological analysis fram...
Sexual & Reproductive Healthcare, 2018
Background: Evidence-based sexuality education programmes are a cornerstone in reducing adolescent sexual risk behaviours and promoting sexual health. Several initiatives aimed at reducing sexual and reproductive problems among adolescents have been done. These initiatives include life skill education and abstinence program. Despite these initiatives teen pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases and abortion are still common among school going adolescents. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences and perceptions of adolescents and teachers regarding school-based sexuality education in rural primary schools. Methods: A purposive sample was drawn from primary school-going adolescents aged 12-16 years and teachers aged 28-52 in four rural schools. Eleven audio taped individual interviews and eight focus group discussions were used to collect data. A constant comparison method of data analysis was applied by following the Strauss and Corbin (1998) analysis process of open, axial and selective coding to analyse textual qualitative data until themes, categories and sub-categories were identified and developed. Results: Data analysis revealed that adolescents benefitted from School Based Sexuality Education but the implementation of programmes was undermined by physical and contextual factors such as challenges at national, institutional, community, family and individual levels. Conclusion: It is vital to review the teaching and learning resources and to fully integrate sexuality education into the formal school curriculum. A combined effort of major stakeholders including teachers, community leaders, adolescents, healthcare professionals and parents is needed for sexuality education among adolescents to succeed.
International Journal of Innovative Research and Development, 2021
Early teenage pregnancies in the 21 st century have suddenly become a major public health issue which has a potential to erode all the gains achieved in trying to empower the girl child for self sustainance.The study through 'health risk' sensitive lenses evaluated thestrategies used in the teaching of Sexual Health Education Programmes in reducing early teenage pregnancies in Zimbabwe.The study was conducted in three selected schools in Mzilikazi District in Bulawayo metropolitan province.The Ecology Theory informed this research. The theory was selected based on four key variables relevant to teenage physical growth and mental development. The variables are interaction and participation, empowerment and adaptation to the environment in which they live. The study adopted a case study approach and employed a qualitative methodology of enquiry based on an interpretivist paradigm. The idea was to build a holistic picture of lived experiences of research participants. Convenience sampling technique was adopted in the selection of the research participants owing to the sensitivity of the subject matter under discussion. The sample size was 70 and all participants freely accepted the invitation without being induced or being enticed to partake in the study. Questionnaires, Focus Group Discussions (FGD) and Interviews were employed as data generating techniques in order to ensure trustworthiness of data. Captured audio/voice responses were transcribed and later slotted into emerging themes. Data were analysed and synthesised through the use of Word Query. The study established that, training of teachers on the teaching of Sexual Health Education can result in the effective teaching of Sexual Health Education which may culminate in a reduction of teenage pregnancies, providing adequate resources to help in the teaching of the subject, allocation of enough time for the subject in the school curriculum and improving teaching methods are best strategies in the teaching of Sexual Health Education. The study recommends that the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, through the Curriculum Development Unit, calls for teachers' contribution in the research, development and diffusion of Sexual Health Education information to improve ownership of the programme and to decentralise it.
2017
The prevalence of learner pregnancy amongst school girls in most African countries is a profound concern (Grant & Hallmark, 2006), and Namibia is heavily impacted by this scourge, particularly the Kavango East Education Region. Despite access to information and skills presented by non-formal sexuality education programmes like My Future is My Choice [MFMC] and Kavango Girls Education Project [KGEP] on developing healthy relationships and responsible decision-making about sexual activities, especially during adolescence, many female learners in the Kavango East Educational Region do not complete school as they drop-out prematurely due to early pregnancy. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the perceptions of learners, teachers and programme implementers regarding the value of non-formal sexuality education programmes in mitigating learner pregnancy at schools where these programmes are offered. This study is a depiction and portrayal of the views of the learners, ...