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Behavioural and environmental influences on adolescent decision making in personal relationships: a qualitative multi-stakeholder exploration in Panama.

ABSTRACT: Adolescents in Panama face multiple challenges to their sexual health, rights and well-being such as high rates of teenage pregnancy (?30% of all pregnancies), increased HIV infections and sexual violence. In the absence of sufficient evidence-based data and an ongoing debate in Panamanian society about how to approach adolescents' health problems, the aim of this qualitative study was to explore the perceptions and attitudes of different societal actors, namely governmental employees, NGO employees, academics, members from religious groups, teachers and parents. We conducted in-depth interviews (N = 34) which focused on the behavioural and environmental factors considered to influence adolescents' decision making with regard to love, friendships and family relations. Furthermore, we explored how these stakeholders viewed the role of the education system, and the potential of including social-emotional learning (SEL) in the curriculum to provide skills and capacities, which could encourage adolescents to make better decisions and improve their well-being, in general but also in the context of sexual behaviours. Analysis revealed five central themes, i.e. perceptions towards gender roles and equality, adolescents' love (sexual) relationships, capacity needs regarding prevention of risk behaviours and the role of education, comprehensive sexuality education in schools and the potentiality of SEL in the education system. The findings of the study can enhance understanding on the views of stakeholders regarding the factors influencing adolescents' decision making, as well as regarding the possibilities of introducing SEL in the Panamanian educational curriculum.

SUBMITTER: Arai Z-Ledezma AB

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6991616 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Behavioural and environmental influences on adolescent decision making in personal relationships: a qualitative multi-stakeholder exploration in Panama.

Araï Z-Ledezma Ana B AB Massar Karlijn K Kok Gerjo G

Health education research 20200201 1

Adolescents in Panama face multiple challenges to their sexual health, rights and well-being such as high rates of teenage pregnancy (∼30% of all pregnancies), increased HIV infections and sexual violence. In the absence of sufficient evidence-based data and an ongoing debate in Panamanian society about how to approach adolescents' health problems, the aim of this qualitative study was to explore the perceptions and attitudes of different societal actors, namely governmental employees, NGO emplo ...[more]

PMID: 31711147

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Project description:ObjectivesDespite significant public health emphasis on unintended pregnancy prevention among adolescent girls and young women in Sub-Saharan Africa, there is a gap in understanding how adolescents' own reproductive priorities and the social influences on their decision-making align and compete. We examined the social context of contraceptive decision-making among Kenyan female adolescents.MethodsUsing community-based sampling, we conducted 40 in-depth interviews and 6 focus group discussions among sexually-active or partnered adolescent girls and young women aged 15-19 in the Nyanza region of Kenya. We analyzed the data in Dedoose using an inductive, grounded theory approach, and developed a conceptual model from the data illustrating social influences on adolescent contraceptive decision-making.ResultsParticipants viewed adolescent pregnancy as unacceptable, and described severe social, financial, and health consequences of unintended pregnancy, including abortion under unsafe conditions. Yet, their contraceptive behaviors often did not reflect their desire to delay pregnancy. Contraceptive decision-making was influenced by multiple social factors, centering on the intersecting stigmas of adolescent female sexuality, pregnancy, and contraceptive use, as well as unequal power in sexual relationships. To prioritize pregnancy prevention, adolescents must navigate conflicting social norms and power dynamics, and put their perceived future fertility at risk.ConclusionsContraceptive decision-making among Kenyan female adolescents is strongly influenced by opposing social norms within families, communities, and sexual relationships, which compel them to risk stigma whether they use a contraceptive method or become pregnant as adolescents. These findings put into perspective adolescents' seemingly incongruent pregnancy preferences and contraceptive behaviors. Interventions to address adolescent unintended pregnancy should focus on supporting adolescent decision-making agency, addressing fertility-related contraceptive concerns, and promoting innovative contraceptive access points rather than increasing contraceptive prevalence.

Dataset Information

Behavioural and environmental influences on adolescent decision making in personal relationships: a qualitative multi-stakeholder exploration in Panama.

Publications

Behavioural and environmental influences on adolescent decision making in personal relationships: a qualitative multi-stakeholder exploration in Panama.

Similar Datasets

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