From disease to desire, pleasure to the pill: A qualitative study of adolescent learning about sexual health and sexuality in Chile

BMC Public Health

Research Article

Adela Rosa Montero Vega¹  Anna K-J Macintyre²  Mette Sagbakken³ 

[1] Centre for Reproductive Medicine and Adolescent Development (CEMERA), Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile, Profesor Zañartu 1030, Independencia, Santiago, Chile;Department of Community Medicine, Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, P.O Box 1130, Blindern, 0317, Oslo, Norway;Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Oslo and Akershus University College, Oslo, Norway;National Centre for Minority Health Research (NAKMI), Gullhaugveien 1-3, 0484, Oslo, Norway;

关键词: Sexuality;    Sexual health;    Reproductive health;    Sex education;    Adolescents;    Chile;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12889-015-2253-9

 received in 2015-02-25, accepted in 2015-09-09,  发布年份 2015

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundSexual and reproductive rights include access to accurate and appropriate information in order to make informed decisions. In the current age of media globalization and Internet, adolescents are exposed to information about sexual health and sexuality from a myriad of sources. The objective of this study was to explore sources of information and adolescent learning about sexual health and sexuality in Santiago, Chile.MethodsData collection included four focus group discussions with a total of 24 adolescents 18–19 years old, 20 semi-structured interviews with adolescents 16–19 years old, and seven interviews with key informants working with adolescents. Audio recordings were transcribed verbatim and analysed using content analysis.ResultsThe primary sources of sexual health and sexuality information were parents, teachers and friends, whilst secondary sources included health professionals for females and Internet for males. Information provided by the trusted sources of parents, teachers and health professionals tended to focus on biological aspects of sexuality, particularly pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. Limited emphasis was placed on topics such as love, attraction, pleasure, relationships, abstinence and sexual violence. Information focused primarily on heterosexual relations and reproduction. Adolescents learnt about relationships and sexual acts through friends, partners and, for many males, pornography. Findings indicate a lack of available information on partner communication, setting personal limits, and contraception, including morally neutral and medically correct information about emergency contraception.ConclusionsThis study highlights numerous gaps between adolescent information needs and information provided by parents, teachers and health professionals. The priority these trusted sources place on providing biological information overshadows learning about emotional and relational aspects of sexuality. This biological rationalization of adolescent sexual behaviour neglects the way gender inequality, peer-pressure, coercion, media eroticization and religion influence adolescent sexual decision-making. The heteronormativity of information excludes other sexual orientations and disregards the diverse spectrum of human sexual behaviours. Finally, the limited provision of practical information hinders development of skills necessary for ensuring safe, consensual and pleasurable sexual relations. Trusted adults are encouraged to engage adolescents in critical reflection on a broad range of sexuality topics, dispelling myths, and building knowledge and skills necessary to make informed decisions.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© Macintyre et al. 2015