Effects of parenting practices on sexual risk-taking among young people in Cameroon

Abstract

BackgroundThere is scanty evidence regarding the impact of parenting practices on young people’s sexual risk-taking in sub-Saharan Africa. Moreover, the extent to which such practices have enduring consequences on adolescents and young adults is little documented. This study uses repeated measures of parent–child relationships, parental monitoring, and parent–child communication about sexual matters to shed some light in these two areas.MethodsThe analysis is based on time-dependent retrospective data on parenting practices which were retrieved from the Cameroon Family and Health Survey (CFHS). The study sample includes 447 sexually active and unmarried individuals aged 15–24 years old. Correlation analysis and multivariate logistic regressions are used.ResultsYoung males and females reported high levels of parental monitoring, moderate quality of parent–child relationships and low levels of parent–child communication on sexual matters. This study substantiates that the higher the quality of parent–child relationships, the lower the odds of young males having multiple sexual partners (0.63, p < 0.05), and the lower the odds of young females being sexually active (0.52, p < 0.10) or of having multiple sexual partners (0.64, p < 0.10) or of having occasional sexual partners (0.51, p < 0.05). Living with the biological father only was associated with higher odds of having multiple sexual partners (3.21, p < 0.10) and higher odds of occasional concurrent sexual partners (3.26, p < 0.10) among young males. Compared with their out-of-school counterparts, young males still enrolled in school were less likely to be sexually active in the last 12 months (0.33, p < 0.05) and less likely to have occasional concurrent sexual partners (0.57, p < 0.10), whereas young females still enrolled in school were more likely to be sexually active (2.25, p < 0.10) and less likely to use contraceptive consistently (0.36, p < 0.001).ConclusionsReproductive health programs and interventions for preventing young people’s risky sexual behaviors in sub-Saharan African settings must take into account the protective effects of parent–child relationships and the significance of parental monitoring over time.

Are parenting practices associated with the same child outcomes in sub-Saharan African countries as in high-income countries? A review and synthesis

“…Studies ranged in sample size from 30 to 31 098 and were conducted in 13 SSA countries, with most conducted in Kenya, Ghana and South Africa. Some drew on large-scale national studies including: ‘Transition to Adulthood’ (TTA)47–49 and the ‘Cameroon Family and Health Surveys’ (CFHS) 50 51. Other studies reported findings from more than one SSA country 52–54.…”

A Systematic Review of the Relationship Between Family Structure and Health Risk Behaviours Amongst Young People: An African Perspective

“…In addition, the quality of child-family relationships produced mixed results. One study found that good parent-child relationships (defined as the amount of communication, warmth, love and closeness between mother and child) are protective against multiple partnerships amongst males and females [53] compared to other studies who reported no relationship between parent-child relationships and the number of sexual partners [54]. This finding implies that although family structure is important in reducing the engagement of youth in at-risk behavior, the involvement of parents in the activities of youth and monitoring of these activities are more important.…”

“…In some, family structure was classified under living arrangement and this included living alone, with both parents, a single parent or relatives [50]. In another study, family structure included biological parents, biological mother only, biological father only, other relatives and uncorrelated residents [53]. Other studies included grandparents and other relatives as part of the family structure such as an aunt or uncle [48].…”

“…This was evident in the study with orphans [54] where, the traditional extended African family network provided care for the orphaned adolescents and the supportive environment that encouraged them to make wise choices with regards to sexual behaviours. Thus, the role of the extended family should not be underestimated when considering reports that youth living with both parents were less likely to engage in risky sexual behaviours compared to those living with the biological father only where there is a high risk of having multiple partners [53]. This is supported by another study indicating that youth were less likely to engage in premarital sex when living with parents who monitored their activities and friends compared to those living with one biological parent or with friends [50].…”

Uji Validitas Konstruk Alat Ukur Persepsi Hubungan Orangtua-Anak Terhadap Perilaku Seksual Pada Mahasiswa

“…Hubungan yang terjalin dengan baik antara orangtua-anak akan melindungi anak dari perilaku seksual sejak dini (Sidze & Defo, 2013). Hal tersebut dapat terjadi karena hubungan orangtua -anak memiliki keterkaitan dengan perilaku seksual seperti keputusan untuk menunda atau mengurangi perilaku seksual (Scony, Deptula, & Henry, 2010;Miller, 2002).…”