Assessing the right to sexual reproductive health education in Uganda: A case of teenage mothers in Mukono District (2006-2018)

Abstract

The study concerns the rising number of teenage mothers amidst the implementation of Rights to Sexual Reproductive Health Education in the Mukono District. The study was informed by the fact that the implementation of Rights to Sexual Reproductive Health Education (SRHE) plays a significant role in ending of teenage/ child pregnancy. The objectives were to explore from a human rights point of view the status of Sexual Reproductive Health Education Rights in Mukono District, to examine from a human rights point of viewthe implementation of policies and guidelines relating to Sexual Reproductive Health Education, to examine from a human rights point of view the relation/rappel between the implementation of Sexual Reproductive Health Education rights and the rising rate of teenage motherhood in Mukono District.Case study research design was used with a mixed method approach. Unit of analysis where70 teenage mothers was selected at Child Care and Youth Empowerment Foundation (CCAYEF) and 14 key informants. Primary data-questionnaire data was collected from 70 participants from CCAYEF and interviews were conducted from the DHO, DEO, 2 Head teachers, 2 senior women and 2 senior men, 4 parents and 2 directors at CCAYEF. Descriptive analyses were from questionnaires and interviewees were thematically analyzed as a qualitative approach.The findings indicate that formal reproductive health education including messages on media, magazines like straight talk, and talk shows to encourage abstinence and promote the use of condoms and contraceptives by those who are sexually active, is the front-line efforts to prevent teenager mothers. Implemented policies and guidelines on SRHE include Child Protection policy under Ministry of Gender, Gender Policy under CCAYEF, Adolescent Health Policy, National Aids Control Policy, and Sexual Reproductive Health Policy prevent teenage pregnancy. Programs of SRHE include group counselling sessions by Strong Minds Uganda, one on one sessions, peer to peer group sessions, and conducting home visits.Correlation result shows that the implementation of Rights to Sexual Reproductive Health Education reduces or even eliminates teenage mothers as evidenced with a negative significant relationship at 1% level in Mukono district. The government, NGOs, teachers, parents, culture leaders, religious leaders and other stakeholders should provide timely accurate and comprehensive information and life skills training regarding sexual and reproductive health education (SRHE) with content breakdown based on age bracket through available media in local language, field visits in schools and community to prevent teenagers from becoming mothers and remain in schools.