School-based Sexual and Reproductive Health Education and Its Challenges to Adolescents in Ethiopia; A Qualitative Study

Background aim: Sexual  and Reproductive  Health  Education  (SRHE) helps  adolescents  avoid  risky  sexual  behaviors  such  as  unintended  pregnancies and sexually  transmitted  infections.  However, it is frequently said that school-based SRHE is insufficient and uneven.  This study aimed to investigate the   perceptions of teachers, students, and healthcare workers regarding the current delivery of school-based sexual and reproductive health education and the challenge it faces in Ethiopia.Methods: The study was conducted using conventional content analysis of qualitative approach in Arsi Zone, Ethiopia.  Overall, 36 participants were involved in the study.  Among  these,  24  were  students  took part in  focus  group  discussions  and  12  key  informants  who participated in  in-depth-interview.  The data were collected using pretested and semi-structured interview guides.  All the interviews were recorded and transcribed exactly as spoken. Guba and Lincoln (1985) criteria were used to achieve trustworthiness.  The data were analyzed simultaneously with data collection using ATLAS.ti 8 software.Results: The main themes emerged included: 1) Current school-based Sexual and Relationships Health Education consisted  of   sub-themes of  curriculum  contents,  teaching  approach  and  students’  knowledge  of  SRHE., 2) Implementation obstacles of SRHE including  subthemes such as  teachers’  confidence,  lack  of  resources/reading  materials, cultural and religious barrier sand  discomfort  with  sexual  health  terminology and 3) Suggestion to improve  SRHE  comprising subthemes of health promotion policies, creation supportive environments and avoiding obstacles.Conclusion: The  status  of  school  based  SRHE  is  insufficient  due  to  various  factors.  Policymakers and program  managers  are  advised  to  incorporate  comprehensive  SRHE  within  the  normal  school  curriculum  and  work  on  capacity  building  of  teachers  through  training.