RESUMO
Men's sexual and reproductive health is one of the most important public health issues. However, less attention has been paid to this matter, compared to women's health issues. The aim of this study was to evaluate the educational needs of men regarding sexual and reproductive health in Ahvaz, Iran. This descriptive study was performed on 1,068 adult men [aged 20-60 years], selected via random cluster sampling in Ahvaz city in 2014. In order to determine the educational needs of men regarding sexual and reproductive health, a questionnaire consisting of three major sections [i.e., demographic data, sexual and reproductive health needs, and men's attitudes] was designed. The validity of the questionnaire was determined by content and face validity. Its reliability was assessed by internal consistency [alpha=85%] and test-retest. For data analysis, descriptive statistics, t-test and ANOVA were performed, using SPSS version 19. The majority of men [75.1%] had poor knowledge and a moderate attitude [67.3%] towards sexual and reproductive health. The three most important educational needs of men regarding sexual and reproductive health were cancers of male reproductive system [83.8%], sexually transmitted diseases [STD]/HIV [77.4%] and religious attitudes toward sex [77%], respectively. Friends were the most important source of information in all aspects of sexual and reproductive health, while men preferred to receive information from a male physician or counselor. According to the results, men were dissatisfied with the amount of information they received about sexual and reproductive health. Based on the findings, men felt the need for sexual and reproductive health education; these needs were influenced by social and demographic factors, except marital status. If health policymakers pay attention to these educational needs, it is possible to implement suitable programs for improving men's sexual health and knowledge
RESUMO
Background: despite clear reasons for necessity of sexual health education for adolescents, it is a contested issue and has faced challenges in most cultures. Providing sexual education for non-married adolescents is culturally unacceptable in most Muslim societies
Objective: this qualitative study addressed socio-cultural challenges to sexual health education for female adolescents in Iran
Materials and Methods: qualitative data from female adolescents [14-18 yr], mothers, teachers, authorities in health and education organizations, health care providers and clergies were collected in two large cities of Iran including Mashhad and Ahvaz through focus group discussions and individual in-depth interviews. Data were analyzed using conventional qualitative content analysis with MAXqda software
Results: our results revealed that the main socio-cultural challenges to sexual health education for adolescents in Iran are affected by taboos surrounding sexuality. The emergent categories were: denial of premarital sex, social concern about negative impacts of sexual education, perceived stigma and embarrassment, reluctance to discuss sexual issues in public, sexual discussion as a socio-cultural taboo, lack of advocacy and legal support, intergenerational gap, religious uncertainties, and imitating non-Islamic patterns of education
Conclusion: it seems that cultural resistances are more important than religious prohibitions, and affect more the nature and content of sexual health education. However, despite existence of salient socio-cultural doubtful issues about sexual health education for adolescents, the emerging challenges are manageable to some extent. It is hoped that the acceptability of sexual health education for adolescents could be promoted through overcoming the cultural taboos and barriers as major obstacles
RESUMO
Despite so many unmet sexual health education [SHE] needs of adolescents, socio cultural challenges have caused this issue to be ignored in different scoieties. This study investigated Iranian female adolescents' experiences and perceptions with respect to SHE that they received at schools, and what they really needed, expected, and preferred. In this qualitative study, seven focus group discussions [44 adolescents] and 13 individual in depth interviews were conducted among female adolescents aged 14-18 in Mashhad and Ahvaz, Iran, to explore adolescents' experiences and perceptions towards SHE in Iranian schools. Data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Analyzing adolescents' perspectives and experiences revealed their great dissatisfaction with SHE in schools. Emerged categories included: lack of obligation and priority for SHE, sexual reticence and evading, making adolescents frightened of sexual issues, inconsistency of SHE with adolescents' needs, unqualified educators, and lack of appropriate educational materials. This study found some similarities between expectations of Iranian adolescents and those of adolescents from other cultures about an SHE program. Adolescents showed great abilities to appraise health services delivered for them, and so any program for sexual health promotion in adolescents ought to address adolescents' needs, demands, and aspirations. Their contribution can provide insights for tailoring SHE programs for adolescents.