TITLE:
Sexual and Reproductive Health Knowledge and Behaviour among Adolescents in Rural Burkina Faso
AUTHORS:
Yobi Alexis Sawadogo, Issa Ouédraogo, Sibraogo Kiemtoré, Ali Sie, Clarisse Dah, Adama Ouattara, Hulda W. Nana, Emmanuel Ouedraogo, Charlemagne Ouedraogo
KEYWORDS:
Knowledge, Behaviour, Reproductive Health, Adolescents, Nouna, Burkina Faso
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology,
Vol.14 No.9,
September
19,
2024
ABSTRACT: Background: Adolescents in developing countries have limited knowledge about the prevention of STIs and unwanted pregnancies. In several African countries, risky sexual behaviour persists, including early sexual debut, multiple sexual partners, economic and sexual exchange, and low condom and contraceptive use. The purpose of this study is to assess the sexual and reproductive health knowledge and behaviour of adolescents in rural Burkina Faso in order to improve their sexual and reproductive health. Method: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study with prospective data collection conducted from 07 March to 04 April 2022 in the area of the Demographic and Health Surveillance System of the Nouna Research Centre. A questionnaire was administered to a randomly selected sample of 1202 adolescents. Results: The mean age of the adolescents was 14.1 years and 56.6% were male. Only 58.2% of the adolescents had ever heard of HIV/AIDS. Of these, 95.7% did not know their HIV status. In addition, 15.8% had ever had sexual intercourse and 2.4% had been sexually active at an early age. Almost 45% had not used any contraceptive method the last time they had sex. Condoms were the most frequently used contraceptive method (47.4%). Among teenagers, 27.6% had been pregnant at least once, 7.3% were married and the average age at marriage was 18.45 years. Almost 7% (6.9%) of teenagers had more than one sexual partner. Conclusion: Adolescents have limited knowledge about reproductive health. Risky sexual behaviour persists. Awareness campaigns need to be intensified to improve their sexual and reproductive health.