Abstract
ABSTRACT Purpose: Adolescents may be known to take risks, but they may also conform to societal norms if they are given proper guidance, implying that there is a need for proper monitoring. This qualitative study explores the influence of family dynamics on adolescents sexual risk behaviour within a migration affected community.Method: Using thematic analysis, we processed data collected from 13 adolescents and 10 parents.Results: The themes generated from our data include the following, “Household poverty”, “Family conflicts”, “Lack of discipline”, “Parent-child closeness”, “Generational gap between adolescents and their parents” and “Lack of sex education”. Our study found that financial constrain was a major problem in this community, the impact of this was worse felt among adolescents who lived by themselves. In addition, some parents were delinquent, distant or detached from their adolescents. We also found evidence to suggest that couple conflict was a common occurrence, and this had negative influence on adolescent well-being and there sexual behaviour.Conclusion: In view of the deepening crisis of early sexual engagement among adolescents and the accompanying risk of unplanned pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections, it is imperative to foster adolescent friendly households where the parents/caregivers are empowered to support their adolescents.
Highlights
Adolescence is often associated with sexual risk behaviour, and this association remains significant irrespective of the geographical placement or ethnic background of the adolescent (Malhotra, 2008)
It has been shown that early sexual intercourse increases the likelihood of engaging in other sexual risk behaviours (IOM & NRC, 2011; Sandfort, Orr, Hirsch, & Santelli, 2008) such as inconsistent use of condom, which is an important determinant for Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), including HIV infection (Schantz, 2012)
At the end of data analysis, the following themes emerged, “Household poverty”, “Family conflicts”, “Lack of discipline”, “Parent-child closeness”, “Generational gap between adolescents and their parents” and “Lack of sex education”. These themes relate to the opportunities and sometimes the missed opportunities within the family to address sexual risk behaviour among adolescents
Summary
Adolescence is often associated with sexual risk behaviour, and this association remains significant irrespective of the geographical placement or ethnic background of the adolescent (Malhotra, 2008). The proportion of adolescents engaging in sexual risk behaviour may differ across societies. The reason for these differences may differ depending on the acceptable societal norms, culture and traditions (Malhotra, 2008). It has been shown that early sexual intercourse increases the likelihood of engaging in other sexual risk behaviours (IOM & NRC, 2011; Sandfort, Orr, Hirsch, & Santelli, 2008) such as inconsistent use of condom, which is an important determinant for STIs, including HIV infection (Schantz, 2012)
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