Books and Chapters of Books
Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://repository.kln.ac.lk/handle/123456789/11366
Browse
3 results
Search Results
Item Adolescent sexual practices and contraceptive usage(Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya & Plan International, 2008) Herath, H.M.R.P.; Dissanayake, D.M.A.B.; Hilmi, M.A.M.; Pathmeswaran, A.; Wijesinghe, P.S.INTRODUCTION: Adolescence is a critical period of development, as adoption of unhealthy risk behaviours such as unprotected sex, smoking and drug abuse, avoiding contraceptive methods will lead to long standing health and socioeconomic consequences. Therefore information is needed about the sexual practices and contraceptive usage of adolescents and young adults to develop interventions in the community. This study was undertaken to describe and compare the sexual practices, knowledge and usage of contraceptives by adolescents and young adults in selected urban and rural settings.METHOD: This cross sectional descriptive study was conducted among young adults aged less than 21 years at the time of interview in three settings in both rural and urban areas. The study subjects were students from universities, technical colleges and garment factory workers representing both rural and urban areas. The data was collected using a pretested self administered questionnaire during June 2007 to August 2007. Information collected included marital status, gender and the level of education, first sexual relationship (age, partner, contraception used), current contraceptive practices and knowledge about contraceptive methods. The data was analysed using SPSS 10.1 statistical package. Informed consent was obtained from all participants. RESULTS : There were a total of 1258 subjects who had returned the completed questionnaires. Out of them there were 290 garment factory employees, 480 technical college students, and 488 university students. The percentage of females was 58.9%. The mean ages of the males and the females of the total population were 20.75(50 1.13) years and 20.55(SD 1.63) and it was similar in the three settings. The level of education was highest among the undergraduates lowest among garment factory workers. Out of the population 303 (24.1%) were sexually active. It was significantly higher among males {33.5%0 than females (17.0%). Both among male and females this trend was significantly more common among garment factory workers. Sexual activity of the unmarried and the premarital sexual practices of married subjects are shown in the table. 6. 17% of females and 33.5% of males were sexually active before marriage. 90% male garment factory workers were sexually active. In contrast the proportionItem Sri Lankan parents' attitudes towards adolescent reproductive and sexual health education needs: A qualitative study(Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya & Plan International, 2008) Godamunne, P.K.S.INTRODUCTION: Adolescents have unique reproductive health needs when compared to adults, and the behaviours adopted in adolescence have serious implications for their later well being. Serious gaps have been found in providing sexual and reproductive health information to adolescents in Sri Lanka. OBJECTIVE: To explore the attitudes of Sri Lankan parents' towards adolescent reproductive and sexual health education, to identify current parental practices of imparting reproductive and sexual health information to their children and to identify perceived barriers parents face in discussing sexual and reproductive health issues with their children. METHODS: A qualitative study conducted using focus groups discussions in Kurunegala, Kandy, Gampaha and Colombo districts among 71 parents having an adolescent child. RESULTS: All'parents said that it was essential to provide reproductive and sexual health education to adolescents, mainly to deter them from engaging in any precocious sexual activity and to protect children from various threats posed by society, such as sexually transmitted diseases and child sexual abuse. Generally most parents were reluctant to directly discuss reproductive and sexual health issues with their children due to cultural taboos and resultant feelings of shyness and embarrassment. However, mothers, to some extent, discussed reproductive and sexual health matters with their children, often with their daughters and sometimes even with sons. However, some parents expressed lack of knowledge to do so. Parents also indirectly educated their children on sexual and reproductive health topics by providing them with books to read. Many parents considered school and teachers to be the best source of reproductive and sexual health information for their children. Doctors too were considered by parents to be a reliable source of reproductive and sexual health information. CONCLUSION: Parents considered adolescent reproductive and sexual health education as essential to protect and deter children from engaging in any precocious sexual activity. However, most parents were reluctant to openly discuss reproductive and sexual health topics with their children. In general, parents preferred outside sources, people other than themselves, such as teachers and doctors to provide their children with reproductive and sexual health information.Item A Collection of research papers on adolescent sexual and reproductive Health(Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya & Plan International, 2008) Wickremasinghe, A.R.; Pathmeswaran, A.