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Conflicting HIV/AIDS Sex Education Policies and Mixed Messaging among Educators and Students in the Lower Manya Krobo Municipality, Ghana

Author

Listed:
  • Benedict Ocran

    (Department of Social Work, Care and Community, School of Social Sciences, Nottingham Trent University, 50 Shakespeare St., Nottingham NG1 4FQ, UK)

  • Sharon Talboys

    (Division of Public Health, School of Medicine, University of Utah, 50 North Medical Drive, Salt Lake City, UT 84108, USA
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Kimberley Shoaf

    (Division of Public Health, School of Medicine, University of Utah, 50 North Medical Drive, Salt Lake City, UT 84108, USA
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

Abstract

While school-based comprehensive sex education (CSE) is effective in HIV prevention among young people ages 10–24 years, Ghana’s national sexual and reproductive health education policy promotes abstinence. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health’s HIV prevention programs provide more comprehensive school-based education. This qualitative study evaluated the HIV/AIDS education program in the Lower Manya Krobo Municipality to assess the perspectives of students and educators in 10 schools on school-based sexual and reproductive health programs, including HIV/AIDS education and conflicting HIV/AIDS sex education policies. HIV prevalence in the Lower Manya Krobo Municipality of Ghana was more than twice the national average at 5.64% in 2018, and prevalence among youth in the municipality aged 15–24 was the highest in the nation at 0.8%. Educators have mixed feelings regarding abstinence-based and CSE approaches. However, students generally endorse abstinence and describe the limitations of condom use. Ambiguity in overarching policies is identified as a factor that could influence the orientation of school-based health educators, create disharmony in sex education interventions, introduce confusing sex education messages to young people, and create a potentially narrow curriculum that limits the gamut of HIV/AIDS sex education to exclude young people’s risky sexual behaviours and diverse teaching and implementation strategies. Policies and the scope of sex education should be realigned to ensure the transparent implementation of HIV/AIDS sex education programs in Ghana.

Suggested Citation

  • Benedict Ocran & Sharon Talboys & Kimberley Shoaf, 2022. "Conflicting HIV/AIDS Sex Education Policies and Mixed Messaging among Educators and Students in the Lower Manya Krobo Municipality, Ghana," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(23), pages 1-19, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:23:p:15487-:d:980853
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Benedict Ekow Ocran & Godwin Agot Atiigah, 2022. "An Insider–Outsider Approach to Understanding the Prevalence of Female Genital Mutilation in Pusiga in the Upper East Region of Ghana," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 11(11), pages 1-17, November.
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