Factors associated with communication between parents and their children regarding sexual and .-' reproductive health matters in Kinondoni district, Dar es Salaam.

A cross-sectional study was undertaken in Kinondoni District, Dar-es-salaam region during June -July 2001, to determine the factors associated with parent- child communication regarding sexual and reproductive health matters in Kinondoni District. The communities within Kinondoni district were selected using a multistage sampling technique involving wards and streets. The participants were randomly selected from the respective household. Information on factors associated with parent-child communication was obtained using an interview schedule. A total of 249 parents with children above ten years were interviewed. The results of this study indicate that 51.8% of the parents communicate sexual and reproductive health matters with their children. The study observed that what parents communicate with their children was not enough and the mode of discussion was prescriptive or non interactive. Parents were the main initiator of the discussion. Increase in age was found to be associated with presence of communication between parents and their children. Other variables, age, sex, religion, education level, number of children and marital status showed to have no association with parent-child communication regarding sexual reproductive health matters. For the parents who did not communicate sexual and reproductive health issues with their children, reasons mentioned were that their children will be taught in school, others commented that their children are not mature, some said thei