van der Geugten Jolien, van Meijel Berno, den Uyl Marion H G, de Vries Nanne K
Faculty of Health, Sports and Social Work, Research Centre Mental Health Nursing, In Holland University of Applied Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Faculty of Social Sciences, VU University Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Afr J Reprod Health. 2013 Dec;17(4):93-106.
Youths in Bolgatanga municipality in the Upper East Region in the rural north of Ghana suffer health and social problems that are caused by their premarital and unsafe sexual behaviour. This study provides more knowledge of and insight into the youths' conceptions, motives and practices concerning premarital sex in the specific cultural and social context of Bolgatanga municipality. The results of this study can contribute to the development of more effective sexual and reproductive health (SRH) programmes. Interviews with 33 youths and 27 key respondents were carried out. Four repertoires were constructed to present the dynamics wherein the youths' premarital sexual behaviour takes place. The dominant ideology of abstaining from premarital sex contrasts with the counter ideology of allowing premarital sex, influenced by increasing modernization. SRH programmes should take into account the increasing influence of modernity, gender differences and the compelling influence of peer groups, all of which contribute to youths engaging in premarital sex, with health and social problems as possible consequences.
加纳北部农村上东部地区博尔加坦加市的青少年面临着由婚前及不安全性行为导致的健康和社会问题。本研究在博尔加坦加市特定的文化和社会背景下，对青少年关于婚前性行为的观念、动机及行为方式有了更多了解和认识。本研究结果有助于制定更有效的性与生殖健康（SRH）项目。研究对33名青少年和27名关键受访者进行了访谈。构建了四个系列来呈现青少年婚前性行为发生的动态过程。受日益增长的现代化影响，婚前禁欲的主流观念与允许婚前性行为的反主流观念形成对比。性与生殖健康项目应考虑到现代性影响的不断增加、性别差异以及同龄人群体的强大影响，所有这些因素都促使青少年发生婚前性行为，并可能导致健康和社会问题。
