Adolescents' sexual and reproductive health education: perspectives from secondary school teachers in Northern Nigeria

Lack of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) education contributes to poor SRH outcomes for adolescents and young people in Sub-Saharan Africa. School-based comprehensive SRH education programmes in low- and middle-income countries aim to advance gender equality and human rights and reduce risky sex...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Sex Education: Sexuality, Society and Learning Society and Learning, 2023-01, Vol.23 (1), p.66-80
Main Authors: Emenike, Nkechi W., Onukwugha, Franklin I., Sarki, Ahmed M., Smith, Lesley
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent health
Adolescents
Assistant Principals
Barriers
Beliefs
Boarding Schools
comprehensive sexual and reproductive health
Disease Incidence
Education
Foreign Countries
Inclusion
Muslims
Nigeria
Principals
Program Implementation
Public Health
Public Schools
Reproductive health
Schools
Secondary School Teachers
Secondary Schools
Sex Education
sexuality education
Single Sex Schools
Socioeconomic Status
Teacher Attitudes
Teenagers
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Summary:Lack of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) education contributes to poor SRH outcomes for adolescents and young people in Sub-Saharan Africa. School-based comprehensive SRH education programmes in low- and middle-income countries aim to advance gender equality and human rights and reduce risky sexual behaviours in adolescents. However, the implementation of these programmes in Northern Nigeria is opposed by community and religious institutions because of mistrust of health interventions perceived as being framed on Western ideologies. This study explored perceptions of such programmes among secondary school staff in Northern Nigeria. We focused on knowledge and beliefs about comprehensive SRH education programmes, and views about barriers to delivery and ways to support their inclusion in schools. Sixteen semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with teachers and head teachers. Participants were aged 33-54 years and came from four public secondary schools in two states (Kano and Jigawa). Findings showed conflicting gender-based perspectives on the importance of comprehensive SRH education in schools. Barriers to delivery included lack of adequate skills and knowledge, beliefs/cultural norms and wider societal barriers. Involving traditional and religious leaders and schools in the design of tailored approaches could strengthen future delivery.
ISSN:1468-1811
1472-0825
DOI:10.1080/14681811.2022.2028613