Educating students about sex is like giving them a gift, without being allowed to open it. - A study about students’ attitudes towards Sexual and reproductive health and rights education in Moshi, Tanzania

The study was conducted in Moshi, the regional Capital of Kilimanjaro region, Tanzania. It was financed by Sida’s Minor Field Study scholarship in March and April 2019. This study was carried out at a Secondary school and focuses on students’ attitudes and knowledge about sexual and reproductive health and rights, SRHR, as well as examine how different actors influence the students’ decision-making and attitudes in Form 4. Qualitative semi-structured interviews are conducted, combined with the use of flashcards, as a method. Each flashcard contains topics within the concept of SRHR and was based on previous research and definitions. The use of flashcards was conducted in two steps. Firstly, the students’ categorized SRHR-topics in five different categories. Secondly, the students’ ranked ten actors in which affect them the most to least. Most of the students believe that most of the topics are important to learn about but in a future context. They also believe that education in some topics will result in increased sexual behavior. The students identify that authorities, such as parents and school, affect them the most in their decision-making and attitudes. To conclude, the students were found to have limited education focusing on attitudes as well as access to evidence-based education