Perspectives of parents and adolescents on sexual and reproductive health information communication in Ghana

Abstract

Background: Parent-adolescent sexual and reproductive health (SRH) information communication is known to be associated with positive SRH outcomes of adolescents. This determinant of positive SRH outcomes of adolescents is therefore receiving attention in research in the African region.

Aim: This study therefore explored and integrated the perspectives of parents and adolescents on SRH information communication in Ghana.

Setting: The study was conducted at the Asante Akyem North Municipality of Ghana.

Methods: A qualitative descriptive design was used to interview 10 parent-adolescent dyad. Participants were purposively recruited from the Asante Akyem North Municipality in Ghana. Thematic analysis was done inductively using Braun and Clarke’s approach. ATLAS.ti version 23.0.7 was used to store and manage data.

Results: Three themes emerged, namely, SRH information communicated by parents and their adolescents, motivation for communicating SRH information, and SRH information communication skills. Some form of SRH information communication take place between parents and adolescents although they lack the requisite skills to communicate such information.

Conclusion: An SRH information communication intervention, which is culturally appropriate, is needed to train both parents and adolescents to communicate SRH information in Ghana.

Contribution: The study contributes to the understanding of SRH information communication by highlighting the influence of cultural norms, social support and parental engagement on adolescents’ access to accurate information, which can inform the development of culturally sensitive interventions to enhance SRH communication between parents and adolescents.