Effects of Parental Communication Regarding Sexuality, Family Planning and HIV on Reproductive Health Outcomes among Unmarried Adolescent Girls in Rural Tanzania

Eunice N. Muthengi, Population Council Kenya
Abebaw Ferede, Population Council Ethiopia

Adolescents who communicate with their parents about sexual and reproductive health are more likely to make healthy decisions, including those related to their reproductive health. This study uses data from a baseline survey conducted in Tabora, Tanzania to examine the effect of parental communication regarding sexual relations, family planning and HIV on sexual experience, contraceptive use and HIV-testing. The sample includes 1,966 unmarried girls, of which 425 were sexually-experienced. Multivariate logistic regression models were estimated to control for respondent and parent characteristics and socio-demographic factors. Findings suggest that the content of parental sexuality communication is an important consideration that influences adolescent behavior. Girls can be at greater risk of pregnancy and contracting sexually transmitted infections if communication with parents is focused only on delaying sexual debut without information on contraceptive use and other preventive measures.