Breaking the Silence: Sexual Behavior among Secondary Level Students of Banke

Abstract

Adolescence is one of the most important stages in physical, emotional and sexual development. Despite the potential risks of early sexual initiation, unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) faced by rural secondary school students in Nepal, limited research is available on the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of the young people within this age group. This descriptive quantitative study was conducted to examine the KAP about sexual behavior among the 182 (109 males and 73 females) Government Secondary School students of Grade 9-12 of Baijanath Rural Municipality, Banke District, selected by convenience sampling method. Structured and pretested questionnaire was used to collect data and descriptive statistics were used to analyse it. Almost all respondents (97.8%) knew about SRH, with the primary source of information being teachers and schools (91.76%). Students expressed high knowledge on menstruation and pregnancy (98.9% correct) and the STIs (88.46% identified gonorrhoea, syphilis and HIV/AIDS). The overall attitude was positive on the issues of menstruation hygiene, delayed marriage, delayed sexual initiation, and early SRH education (59.89%). The attitudes towards masturbation and pre-marital sexuality were a blend of science and sociocultural perspectives. With respect to practices, 60.99% had experienced a romantic relationship, while 34.07% had engaged in pre-marital sex. Among sexually experienced respondents, 45.24% used no contraception at first intercourse, while 54.76% used protection (mainly condoms).  To encourage safer sexual practices amongst rural Nepal adolescents, comprehensive sexuality education, increasing adolescent friendly SRH services, and correcting sociocultural misconceptions are critical.