A study of Sources of Information on Sexual Education Available to Youth in Rwandan Rural Areas: The Case of Impala District

Abstract

This study seeks to investigate the sources and the content of sexual information available to Rwandase youths aged 15 to 20 in Impala district. The rationale of this study is that young people need to have information on sexual development, reproduction, contraception, physical changes and about sexually transmitted infections and HIV/AIDS. By getting such information, young people are likely to avoid a number of sex-related problems, including diseases, unforeseen sexual behaviour (early sexual intercourse and unintended pregnancy). To gather data, this study used in –depth interviews with 20 youths of both sexes and 20 key informants from different groups involved in youth sexual education. The study found that there is a range of sources of sexual information in Impala district such as school, peers, church, community meetings, anti-AIDS clubs, parents and radio. The school and peers emerged as the key sources of sexual education for educated youth, while community meetings and church are pointed to be the primary sources of this information for uneducated youth. However, most youth reported having little or no sexual education from parents. Concerning the content of this information, adolescent’s reproductive health, sexually transmitted infections and HIV/AIDS, gender roles, sexual experience and practice are the most discussed, and vary depending on the source involved. The information provided by those social agents has been well appreciated by most of the youth I interviewed. However, I argue that the interpretation is different in people depending on their beliefs, background, attitudes and so on. The study concludes with a number of recommendations both for policy implications and further research.