Abstract
BACKGROUND: Adolescents are particularly vulnerable to poor sexual and reproductive health outcomes. In addition, Lao PDR has the highest teenage pregnancy rate in southeast Asia and a high maternal mortality ratio.
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to provide a comprehensive exploration of factors that influence SRH knowledge, attitudes, and practices of adolescents in Bokeo Province, Lao PDR.
METHOD: Data from the Adolescent Girl Situation Analysis cross-sectional study, collected in 2018 using a mixed-method approach with 837 adolescents aged 10-19, and key informant interviews, were analysed. Regression analyses were used to identify predictors of modern contraception knowledge, autonomy, gender-based violence, sexual activity, and contraception use. This was complemented with qualitative thematic content analysis.
RESULTS: Adolescents living in two rural districts had lower sexual and reproductive health knowledge compared to urban district residents. Findings showed misconceptions about the birth control pill, a belief that sex education is important, but that the current teaching quality is problematic. There was a strong positive association between knowledge and autonomy. In the two rural districts, residents were more likely to lack autonomy. Marriage was described as an autonomous decision, yet 40.4% lacked autonomy regarding marriage. Among sexually active adolescents, 35.2% used contraception. Boys and girls were said to be equal, yet education access and gender roles favoured boys. Additionally, violence was more justified by husbands against their wives.
CONCLUSION: The study helps to understand the views and perceptions of adolescents and key informants on gender equality and gender-based violence. Three main areas require more effort and greater investment to improve adolescent sexual and reproductive health: knowledge and use of contraceptives, gender inequality, and autonomy. There is poor knowledge of contraceptive methods, indicating a need to further integrate comprehensive sexual education, introduced in primary school, and to increase investment in training and monitoring teachers.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 1791426 |
| Pages (from-to) | 1-10 |
| Number of pages | 10 |
| Journal | Global Health Action |
| Volume | 13 |
| Issue number | sup2 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Jul 2020 |
Bibliographical note
Issue sup2: LEARN: Sexual Reproductive Health, ANC and NutritionFunding
Funded by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and European Union LEARN Project (Number: DCI/SANTI/2014/342-306). European Union funded LEARN Project (DCI/SANTI/2014/342-306) and the Medical Committee of Netherland-Vietnam (MCNV) in Lao PDR. The authors acknowledge the support from the UNFPA and EU funded LEARN Project, MCNV Lao PDR. The AGSA study was conducted by the Lao Tropical and Public Health Institute, MoH, Lao PDR with support from UNFPA. The views expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not represent the official positions of the UNFPA, United Nations or the organizations other authors are affiliated with. The authors acknowledge the support from the UNFPA and EU funded LEARN Project, MCNV Lao PDR. The AGSA study was conducted by the Lao Tropical and Public Health Institute, MoH, Lao PDR with support from UNFPA. The views expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not represent the official positions of the UNFPA, United Nations or the organizations other authors are affiliated with.
| Funders | Funder number |
|---|---|
| Medical Committee of Netherland-Vietnam | |
| United Nations | |
| United Nations Fund for Population Activities | |
| United Nations Population Fund | |
| European Commission | DCI/SANTI/2014/342-306 |
