Nearly half of mothers daughters have poor sexual and reproductive communication levels and skills in Waliso’s Oromia Region: A cross-sectional mixed study

Abstract

Background

Parental-daughter communication about sexuality gives daughters resources, allowing them to minimize risks and make informed and responsible choices about sexual activities. Poor communication and guidance about SRH can lead to risky sexual behaviors, unwanted pregnancies and infections. It can also negatively affect mental health and reduce the health seeking behaviors. The level of parents-daughter adolescents (10-24 years old) communication needed to communicate about risky sexual behaviors is often lacking.

Objective

This study aimed to assess the communication between mothers and daughters regarding sexual and reproductive health (SRH) issues and to identify the associated factors among young adult female students in Waliso District, Ethiopia’s Oromia Region. 

Methods

A cross-sectional mixed method study was conducted among 625 young adult female students in the Waliso District in 2020. The study used a combination of quantitative and qualitative research methods, and the quantitative data was analyzed using the proportional odds model of ordinal logistic regression. Focus group discussions were used to collect qualitative data from the mothers of the female students. 

Results

Nearly two-thirds (65.2%) of female students were age ranges–16-17 years. Fourty- eight percent female students had nevre discussed sexual and reproductive health topics with their mothers. Nearly one-third (44.7%) of the respondents reported very poor communication with their mothers. The odds of a higher level of sexual and reproductive health issues communication were 1.83 times higher among those in the age range of 16-17 years than in those in the age group of 13-15 years (AOR =1.83; 95%CI: 1.22 – 2.75). 

Conclusions

Mother-daughter communication regarding sexual and reproductive health (SRH) levels and skills is poor. Daughters often discuss only a few SRH topics with their mothers, typically in late adolescence.