Perceptions of adolescents and teachers on school-based sexuality education in rural primary schools in Uganda

Background: Evidence-based sexuality education programmes are a cornerstone in reducing adolescent sexual risk behaviours and promoting sexual health. Several initiatives aimed at reducing sexual and reproductive problems among adolescents have been done. These initiatives include life skill education and abstinence program. Despite these initiatives teen pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases and abortion are still common among school going adolescents. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences and perceptions of adolescents and teachers regarding school-based sexuality education in rural primary schools. Methods: A purposive sample was drawn from primary school-going adolescents aged 12–16 years and teachers aged 28–52 in four rural schools. Eleven audio taped individual interviews and eight focus group discussions were used to collect data. A constant comparison method of data analysis was applied by following the Strauss and Corbin (1998) analysis process of open, axial and selective coding to analyse textual qualitative data until themes, categories and sub-categories were identified and developed. Results: Data analysis revealed that adolescents benefitted from School Based Sexuality Education but the implementation of programmes was undermined by physical and contextual factors such as challenges at national, institutional, community, family and individual levels. Conclusion: It is vital to review the teaching and learning resources and to fully integrate sexuality education into the formal school curriculum. A combined effort of major stakeholders including teachers, community leaders, adolescents, healthcare professionals and parents is needed for sexuality education among adolescents to succeed.