Influenceof comprehensive sexuality education in promoting reproductive health among secondary school pupils in selected schools in Lusaka province

Abstract

The study aimed at establish the influence of comprehensive sexuality education in promoting reproductive health among school pupils in selected secondary schools in Lusaka province. The objective of the study was to determine how CSE influences pupils to make responsible choices about sexual health in selected secondary schools in Lusaka Province. A descriptive survey was used in conducting this research. The study used both qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection. The sample consisted 172 respondents: 88 girls and 84 boys drawn from six secondary schools in Lusaka province, in selecting the participants, simple random sampling technique was used.The study employed the questionnaire and focus group discussion to ensure validity of the findings. The quantitative data was analysed using the statistical package for social sciences computer software while the qualitative data was analysed by coding and grouping the emerging themes. The study revealed that comprehensive sexuality education has a positive impact on pupil’s sexual lives. It emerged from the study that 79.6% of pupils are now able to make more responsible decisions about their sexual life while 74.4% reported that they are now able to protect themselves against unplanned pregnancies because of CSE lessons. 73.2% of the pupils reported that they have acquired factual information about their sexual responsibility. The analysis of the study further showed that 82.2% of pupils were now able to access reproductive health facilities because of the knowledge they acquired through CSE. Arising from the findings of the study, the following recommendations were made.1.The ministry of education should supply more books on sexuality education.2.The Ministry of Education should make CSE a stand-alone subject rather than integrating it in other subject.