Factors associated with adolescent–parent communication of reproductive  health issues among high school and preparatory students in Boditi town, Southern Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study

Muluken Fanta,1 Seblewengel Lemma,2 Getu Gamo Sagaro,3 Mengistu Meskele3 1Wolaita Zone Health Department, Southern Nations Nationalities and People Region State, Wolaita Sodo, 2Addis Continental Institute of Public Health, Addis Ababa, 3School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences and Medicine, Wolaita Sodo University, Wolaita Sodo, Ethiopia Background: Communication from parents on reproductive health (RH) issues with their adolescent children plays a great role in preventing morbidity and mortality associated with RH. The majority of Ethiopian adolescents do not communicate on these matters with their parents. This study aimed to identify the factors that affect communication on RH issues between parents and high school and preparatory students in Boditi town, Wolaita Zone, Southern Ethiopia.Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the level of communication, and factors affecting communication between high school and preparatory students with their parents on RH issues in Boditi town.Methods: A school-based cross-sectional study was conducted from February 10 to February 20, 2015 among high school and preparatory students in Boditi town. A multistage sampling technique was used to sample the study participants. Data were collected by using a self-administrated structured questionnaire, which was developed based on previous literature incorporating all variables to be assessed. Data were entered and analyzed through Epi Info version 3.5.4 and SPSS version 16.0, respectively.Results: This study revealed that 40.70% (95% confidence interval [CI] 37.2%–44.2%) of students discussed RH issues with their parents. Factors such as being a female student (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] =1.42; 95% CI 1.00–1.95); being in the 10th grade (AOR =1.62; 95% CI 1.04–2.50); having a mother who was educated (able to read and write only; AOR =0.56; 95% CI 0.34–0.91), who had completed secondary education (AOR =0.43; 95% CI 0.22–0.80), or who had completed above secondary education (AOR =0.37; 95% CI 0.20–0.72); knowledge on RH issues (AOR =1.37; 95% CI 1–1.9); and perceived importance of discussing RH issues (AOR=3.24, 95% CI 2.00–5.18) significantly affect the communication between parents and students on RH issues.Conclusion: This study showed that only a low proportion of students communicated on RH issues with their parents. Parents should focus on both male and female students equally, in discussing RH matters and in improving their communication skills, and should be transparent in the community to encourage open discussion among family members particularly with their adolescent children. Keywords: communications, reproductive health issues, students, parent