Sexuality Education and Men’s Sexual and Reproductive Health Practices in a high HIV Prevalence Setting: Does Exposure to Sexuality Education Improve Sexual and Reproductive Health Outcomes in Botswana?

Abstract

Exposure to sexuality education is expected to have a positive effect on an individual’s sexual and HIV risk practices and behaviors in later life. This paper uses data from the 2007 Botswana Family Health survey (BFHS-2007) to investigate the association between exposure to sexuality education in schools and men’s sexual and reproductive health practices. The BFHS-2007 sampled 4030 men between ages of 12-29 years, and solicited responses on a wide range of issues, including exposure to sexuality education, sexual and reproductive practices; fertility as well as partner characteristics. About 82% of men were exposed to sexuality education, of which silightly more than 50% have had sexual initiation. A high percentage of respondents who have not received sexuality education would have not used a condom at sexual debut and would have desired a child. The paper concludes that if introduced early, sexuality education improves life skills in sexual initiation, condom use and childbearing