International Centre for Reproductive Health (ICRH), Department of Public Health and Primary Care, C. Heymanslaan 10, 9000, Ghent, UZ, Belgium.
Centro de Estudos Africanos, Departmento de Estudos de Desenvolvimento e Género, Universidade Eduardo Mondlane, Moçambique, Julius Nyerere Ave., Main Campus, P.O.Box 1993, Maputo, Mozambique.
Reprod Health. 2019 Sep 18;16(1):144. doi: 10.1186/s12978-019-0809-3.
Communication on sexuality within the family has been considered a determinant factor for the sexual behaviour of young women, contributing to delaying sexual initiation. Taking into account that young women are increasingly exposed to sexualized messages, they need clear, trustful and open communication on sexuality more than ever. However, in Mozambique, communication about sexuality is hampered by strict social norms. This paper evaluates the case of an intervention aimed at reducing the generational barrier for talking about sexuality and to contribute to better communication within the family context.
The intervention consisted of three weekly one-hour coached sessions in which female adults and young interacted about sexuality. Realist evaluation was used as a framework to assess context, mechanisms, and outcomes of the intervention. Interviews were conducted among 13 participants of the sessions.
The interaction sessions were positively appreciated by the participants and contributed to change norms and attitudes towards communication on sexuality within families. Recognition of similarities and awareness of differences were key in the mechanisms leading to these outcomes. This was reinforced by the use of visual materials and the atmosphere of respect and freedom of speech that characterized the interactions. Limiting factors were related to the long-standing taboo on sexuality and existing misconceptions on sexuality education and talks about sex.
By elucidating mechanisms and contextual factors our study adds knowledge on strategies to improve transgenerational communication about sexuality.
家庭内的性教育交流被认为是影响年轻女性性行为的决定因素之一，有助于推迟性初潮的发生。考虑到年轻女性越来越多地接触到性化信息，她们比以往任何时候都更需要关于性的清晰、可信和开放的交流。然而，在莫桑比克，关于性的交流受到严格的社会规范的阻碍。本文评估了一项旨在减少代际障碍以促进家庭内部更好沟通的干预措施。
干预措施包括三个每周一小时的辅导课程，女性成年人和年轻人在这些课程中互动，讨论性问题。采用现实主义评估作为框架，评估干预的背景、机制和结果。对 13 名参与课程的参与者进行了访谈。
互动课程受到参与者的积极评价，并有助于改变家庭内关于性教育交流的规范和态度。对相似性的认识和对差异的认识是导致这些结果的关键机制。这一点得到了视觉材料的使用以及互动中尊重和言论自由的氛围的支持。限制因素与长期存在的对性的禁忌以及对性教育和性话题的误解有关。
通过阐明机制和背景因素，我们的研究为改善代际间关于性的交流策略提供了知识。
