Effectiveness of sexuality education on teen pregnancies in two selected public secondary schools of Shibuyunji district.

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine the effectiveness of sexuality education on teen pregnancies on selected public secondary schools of Shibuyunji District. The objectives of this study were: to investigate ways in which sexuality education was implemented in secondary schools in Shibuyunji District; to assess the adolescent boys’ and girls’ knowledge of sexuality education; to examine the effectiveness of sexuality education on teen pregnancies. A descriptive design utilizing the qualitative approach was used to conduct the study. Data was collected through structured one-on-one interviews with secondary school Head teachers, secondary school teachers, secondary school guidance teachers and Focus Group discussions with secondary school learners. The sample size was thirty (30). This was made up of fourteen (14) teachers including two (2) school guidance teachers and sixteen (16) learners who were purposively sampled. The data collected was analyzed using the descriptive approach or interpretative approach. The researcher identified themes, assigned codes, classified responses and then integrated responses into the text. The study revealed that learners’ knowledge on sexuality education was limited. The study attributed the limited knowledge of learners on sexuality education to; sexuality education not being taught as a stand-alone subject which limited time teachers spent teaching sexuality education and lack of sexuality education teaching materials in schools. Despite learners having limited knowledge about sexuality education, the study revealed that sexuality education does improve learner’s abilities to make safe and informed choices about their sexual and reproductive health. The study also revealed that sexuality education has great potential to provide young people with necessary information about their bodies and sexuality, reduce misinformation, shame and anxiety thereby promote sexual reproductive health among adolescents. In line of the above findings; the following recommendations were made: Ministry of General Education to ensure that Sexuality Education is not just a concept but should be developed further as a complete discipline for secondary schools. It should not be treated as part of other learning areas but should rather enjoy autonomy with its own learning curriculum that will expose learners to more detailed firsthand information on sexuality issues. It will enable learners to receive information in full and not in pieces in order to dissipate ill-informed advice through the media and fellow peers. The Parent-Teacher-Associations in the District should be encouraged to ensure a constant interaction between parents and teachers in various schools and communities. This will enable teachers to discuss issues affecting children with their parents. It is expected that if the above recommendations meet the necessary support, it will go a long way to reduce teenage pregnancy and its consequences such as girl dropout of school, abortions leading to mortalities and also prevent infections that comes with young people’s involvement in sexual activities such HIV/AIDS and STIs.