Skip to main content

Lund University Publications

LUND UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES

Vulnerability and sexual and reproductive health among Zambian secondary school students

Warenius, Linnea ; Odberg Pettersson, Karen LU ; Nissen, Eva ; Höjer, Bengt ; Chishimba, Petronella and Faxelid, Elisabeth (2007) In Culture, Health and Sexuality 9(5). p.533-544
Abstract
The present study aimed to explore secondary school students' needs in relation to sexual and reproductive health in order to inform efforts to improve the quality of health services available to young people. The study involved data collection from 716 11-22-year-old students in four secondary schools in an urban area in Zambia. Students completed a questionnaire and were invited to write down any inquiries they had regarding sexuality and reproduction. Findings revealed that boys and girls lack adequate information about human reproduction and STIs, including HIV. To avoid misconceptions and myths, they also need clear information on contraceptives and masturbation. Responses indicate that young people would welcome guidance and support... (More)
The present study aimed to explore secondary school students' needs in relation to sexual and reproductive health in order to inform efforts to improve the quality of health services available to young people. The study involved data collection from 716 11-22-year-old students in four secondary schools in an urban area in Zambia. Students completed a questionnaire and were invited to write down any inquiries they had regarding sexuality and reproduction. Findings revealed that boys and girls lack adequate information about human reproduction and STIs, including HIV. To avoid misconceptions and myths, they also need clear information on contraceptives and masturbation. Responses indicate that young people would welcome guidance and support related to contraception, pregnancy, abortion and STIs/HIV, but also on love and relationships. Culture, religion and gender are important factors influencing sexuality and sexual abuse. These issues need to be taken into consideration when developing youth-friendly programmes for young people. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
; ; ; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
religion, Zambia, culture, young people, sexual and reproductive health
in
Culture, Health and Sexuality
volume
9
issue
5
pages
533 - 544
publisher
Taylor & Francis
external identifiers
  • wos:000249128600007
  • scopus:34547901781
  • pmid:17687677
ISSN
1464-5351
DOI
10.1080/13691050601106679
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
2b76f8db-5f3a-4702-9309-3a9af952656b (old id 686721)
date added to LUP
2016-04-01 12:30:40
date last changed
2022-01-27 06:05:19
@article{2b76f8db-5f3a-4702-9309-3a9af952656b,
  abstract     = {{The present study aimed to explore secondary school students' needs in relation to sexual and reproductive health in order to inform efforts to improve the quality of health services available to young people. The study involved data collection from 716 11-22-year-old students in four secondary schools in an urban area in Zambia. Students completed a questionnaire and were invited to write down any inquiries they had regarding sexuality and reproduction. Findings revealed that boys and girls lack adequate information about human reproduction and STIs, including HIV. To avoid misconceptions and myths, they also need clear information on contraceptives and masturbation. Responses indicate that young people would welcome guidance and support related to contraception, pregnancy, abortion and STIs/HIV, but also on love and relationships. Culture, religion and gender are important factors influencing sexuality and sexual abuse. These issues need to be taken into consideration when developing youth-friendly programmes for young people.}},
  author       = {{Warenius, Linnea and Odberg Pettersson, Karen and Nissen, Eva and Höjer, Bengt and Chishimba, Petronella and Faxelid, Elisabeth}},
  issn         = {{1464-5351}},
  keywords     = {{religion; Zambia; culture; young people; sexual and reproductive health}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{5}},
  pages        = {{533--544}},
  publisher    = {{Taylor & Francis}},
  series       = {{Culture, Health and Sexuality}},
  title        = {{Vulnerability and sexual and reproductive health among Zambian secondary school students}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13691050601106679}},
  doi          = {{10.1080/13691050601106679}},
  volume       = {{9}},
  year         = {{2007}},
}