Rwandan young people’s perceptions on sexuality and relationships: Results from a qualitative study using the ‘mailbox technique’

This study aimed to gain more insight into young Rwandans’ perceptions on sex and relationships, which is essential for formulating effective sexual and reproductive health (SRH) promotion interventions. Using a ‘mailbox technique’, this paper studies the spontaneous thoughts of Rwandan young people on sexuality. Mailboxes were installed in five secondary schools in the Bugesera district and students were invited to write about their ideas, secrets, wishes, desires and fears on sexuality and relationships. Of the 186 letters collected, 154 addressed SRH topics. The letters were analysed in NVivo 9 using a theoretical model on vulnerability. Two stereotypical sexual interactions co-exist: experimental sex, taking place unprepared, driven by desire among young people of the same age, and transactional sex, occurring after negotiation between older men/women and younger girls/boys in exchange for money or goods. Both types expose young people to poor, though different, SRH outcomes. Young people have little capacity to manage their vulnerability in these relationships: they have limited knowledge on SRH topics, lack adult guidance or support and have difficult access to condoms. They apply seemingly contradictory norms and behaviours concerning sexuality. In conclusion, we have formulated several recommendations for SRH interventions.Keywords: mailbox technique, vulnerability, young people, sexuality and reproductive health, RwandaCette e´tude vise a` e´tudier les perceptions des jeunes Rwandais sur la sexualite´ et les relations, ce qui est essentiel pour la formulation des interventions efficaces en promotion de la sante´ sexuelle et reproductive (SSR). En utilisant une «te´chnique de boıˆte aux lettres », cet article e´tudie les pense´es spontane´es de jeunes Rwandais. Des boıˆtes aux lettres ont e´te´ installe´es dans cinq e´coles secondaires dans le district de Bugesera et les e´tudiants ont e´te´ invite´s a` noter leurs ide´es, secrets, souhaits, de´sirs et craintes sur le sujet de la sexualite´ et les relations. Sur les 186 lettres collecte´es, 154 traitaient la SSR. Les lettres ont e´te´ analyse´es dans NVivo 9 a` l’aide d’un mode`le the´orique de vulne´rabilite´. Deux interactions sexuelles ste´re´otype´es coexistent: le sexe expe´rimental, qui aura lieu a` l’impre´vu, entraine´ par le de´sir, entre les jeunes du meˆme aˆge, et le sexe transactionnel, survenant apre`s ne´gociation entre hommes/femmes plus age´(e)s et entre de jeunes filles/garc¸ons en e´change d’argent ou de biens. Les deux types exposent les jeunes, de manie`re diffe´rente, a` une mauvaise SSR. Les jeunes ont une capacite´ limite´e de ge´rer leur vulne´rabilite´: ils ont des connaissances limite´es sur des sujets de SSR, n’ont pas l’orientation ou le soutien des adultes, et ont un acce`s difficile aux pre´servatifs. Ils appliquent les normes et les comportements apparemment contradictoires concernant la sexualite´. En conclusion, nous avons formule´ plusieurs recommandations pour les interventions de SSR.Mots-cle´s: technique de boıˆte aux lettres, vulne´rabilite´, adolescents, sante´ sexuelle et reproductive, Rwand