Opinion of adults on adolescent’s sexual and reproductive health needs in Ghana

Akwasi Kumi-Kyereme, University of Cape Coast

Adults, as custodians of tradition, actors in decision making, planning and implementation of services, and guardians responsible for the daily needs of young people, play important roles in adolescents’ lives. Yet, not much attention has been paid to their role in adolescent sexual and reproductive health (ASRH) issues. This paper discusses the perceptions and attitudes of adults on ASRH based on 60 in-depth interviews conducted in 2005. The adults were purposively selected: as parents, teachers, health care providers and community leaders. The major SRH problems mentioned were pregnancy, particularly of school girls, and HIV/AIDS. While acknowledging that problems were common to adolescents, some reported that younger and older adolescents as well as males and females faced different ASRH problems. Understanding the perceptions and attitudes of adults about ASRH will help to design programmes targetting adults and aimed at ensuring that they provide youth-friendly environments, support and services for ASRH.