A review of studies of parent-child communication about sexuality and HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa

Reproductive Health

WW Muhwezi³  LJ Kajula²  S Bastien¹ 

[1] Institute for Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Norway, Postbox 1046 Blindern, 0317 OSLO, Norway;Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania;School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, P. O Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda

关键词: Africa;    adolescent sexuality;    parent-child communication;    sexuality communication;   

Others  :  821806
DOI  :  10.1186/1742-4755-8-25

 received in 2011-06-23, accepted in 2011-09-24,  发布年份 2011

【 摘 要 】

Parent-child sexuality communication has been identified as a protective factor for adolescent sexual and reproductive health, including HIV infection. The available literature on this topic in sub-Saharan Africa is increasing; however a systematic review of studies has not been conducted. This article reviews the literature in the area of parental or caregiver and child communication about sexuality and HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa. A review of peer reviewed literature published between 1980 and April 2011 was conducted. Communication process studies investigating the frequency, content, style, tone of discussions, preferences, as well as associations with and barriers to sexuality communication are reviewed. In addition, studies which examine behavioral associations with parent-child sexuality communication, and intervention studies to improve parent-child sexuality communication are examined. The findings from process studies suggest wide variation in terms of frequency of discussions, with a range of socio-demographic and other factors associated with sexuality communication. Overall, findings demonstrate that discussions tend to be authoritarian and uni-directional, characterized by vague warnings rather than direct, open discussion. Moreover, parents and young people report a number of barriers to open dialogue, including lack of knowledge and skills, as well as cultural norms and taboos. Findings are less clear when it comes to associations between parental communication and adolescent sexual activity and contraception use. However, nascent indications from intervention research suggest positive findings with increases in frequency and comfort of discussions, among other outcomes. Gaps in the research are identified and discussed with implications for future studies.

【 授权许可】

   
2011 S et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

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