Reproductive and Sexual Health Education for Adolescents in Bangladesh: Parents' View and Opinion

Abstract

This study attempted to find out whether parents in Bangladesh considered it important to provide reproductive and sexual health education to their adolescent children. It investigated possibilities of making parents play effective role models in educating their children on reproductive and sexual health. Findings suggest considerable positive attitude of parents toward adolescent reproductive health education, including a positive environment for introducing reproductive and sexual health education in schools. Nevertheless, findings also revealed a serious lack of knowledge among parents on basic understanding of reproductive and sexual health matters. Some parents also had reservations about educating their children on these matters. Making parents more aware of reproductive and sexual health matters and developing their communication skill to talk to their children along with in-school education for adolescents should be given high priority in Bangladesh.