ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Adolescence is a period of rapid physical, social, emotional, cognitive, and sexual development. The widening gap between biological maturity and social transition to adulthood highlights the importance of adolescents' need for education, especially in sexual health. The main objective of this study was to explore the facilitators of Sexual Health Education (SHE) for male adolescents in Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this qualitative content analysis, a total number of 45 participants were investigated from June 2018 to July 2019 through individual, semi-structured, in-depth interviews in the city of Mashhad, Iran, until data saturated. The participants were selected using a purposive sampling method. The data were analyzed using a conventional content analysis method based on the approach developed by Graneheim and Lundman (2004) using MAXQDA software. RESULTS: In data analysis, 2 main categories and 9 subcategories emerged. The main categories included extrapersonal facilitators and intrapersonal facilitators. The category of extrapersonal facilitators included the 7 subcategories of appropriate policy-making, use of religious capacities, consideration of native culture, supportive family environment, school empowerment, inter-sectoral integration and collaboration, and reinforcement of parent-teacher interaction. The category of intrapersonal facilitators comprised of the 2 subcategories of supporting adolescent socialization and using distraction techniques in adolescents. CONCLUSIONS: The study revealed that having an action plan with a scientific, ethical, legal, religious, and cultural background, establishing a suitable home, school, and community environment, strengthening inter-sectoral integration, collaboration, and interpersonal coordination, and utilizing the capabilities and potentials of adolescents can provide an appropriate SHE for adolescent boys.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Sexual health education, especially in adolescents, faces excess challenges in many cultures. Iranian adolescents, especially boys, have many educational needs in the field of sexual health that have not been met due to various obstacles. The main purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the challenges of sexual health education for Iranian adolescent boys. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This qualitative content analysis study was conducted through individual semi-structured in-depth interviews from 45 participants (20 adolescents and 25 key adults). Data were analyzed using inductive conventional content analysis based on the Graneheim and Lundman's approach via MAXQDA software (version 2010) by VERBI GmbH Company, Berlin, Germany. RESULTS: In total, 2 categories and 11 subcategories emerged; including, "extrapersonal barriers to sexual health education for adolescent boys" containing seven subcategories of lack of clear policies, family inadequacy, social barriers, cultural heterogeneity, school inadequacy, cyber threats, and educational process inadequacy concerning adolescent sexual health education as well as "intrapersonal barriers to sexual health education for adolescent boys" comprised four subcategories of uncontrolled emotions of adolescence, adolescent rebellion, information and communication weaknesses, and adolescents' concerns about being judged by others. CONCLUSION: The findings clarify some barriers to sexual health education for adolescent boys. Therefore, it was recommended to develop community-based educational programs to change attitudes of families and society toward addressing the challenges of providing sexual health education to adolescent boys. Moreover, it was suggested to utilize an educational program specific to adolescent boys, tailored to the Iranian culture, using the potential of religion.
