Facilitators of sexual health education for male adolescents in Iran: A qualitative study

Abstract

Background: Adolescence is a period of rapid physical, social, emotional, cognitive, and sexual development. The widening gap between biological maturity and social transition to adulthood highlights the importance of adolescents' need for education, especially in sexual health. The main objective of this study was to explore the facilitators of Sexual Health Education (SHE) for male adolescents in Iran. Materials and Methods: In this qualitative content analysis, a total number of 45 participants were investigated from June 2018 to July 2019 through individual, semi-structured, in-depth interviews in the city of Mashhad, Iran, until data saturated. The participants were selected using a purposive sampling method. The data were analyzed using a conventional content analysis method based on the approach developed by Graneheim and Lundman (2004) using MAXQDA software. Results: In data analysis, 2 main categories and 9 subcategories emerged. The main categories included extrapersonal facilitators and intrapersonal facilitators. The category of extrapersonal facilitators included the 7 subcategories of appropriate policy-making, use of religious capacities, consideration of native culture, supportive family environment, school empowerment, inter-sectoral integration and collaboration, and reinforcement of parent-teacher interaction. The category of intrapersonal facilitators comprised of the 2 subcategories of supporting adolescent socialization and using distraction techniques in adolescents. Conclusions: The study revealed that having an action plan with a scientific, ethical, legal, religious, and cultural background, establishing a suitable home, school, and community environment, strengthening inter-sectoral integration, collaboration, and interpersonal coordination, and utilizing the capabilities and potentials of adolescents can provide an appropriate SHE for adolescent boys.

Barriers to the participation of men in reproductive health care: a systematic review and meta-synthesis

“…In reproductive health services, the support for men's accommodation was ignored [ 42 ]. The men's interaction with the health system was restricted [ 40 ]. The participation of men in reproductive health care services wasn't supported [ 66 ].…”

“…In different studies, this issue has been introduced as one of the obstacles to men's participation in reproductive health care. The Poor policy was described with phrases such as Lack of any target for engaging the men directly [ 20 , 31 , 42 , 49 ], lack of emphasis on the presence of men [ 17 , 20 ], and ignoring of men in the health recommendations [ 40 , 41 , 59 ], ignoring advice and services for men's reproductive health in policy [ 41 ], Lack of guidelines and standards for the presence of men in reproductive health [ 16 , 18 , 41 ], Applying personal preferences in management and policy-making [ 18 ], Governance of gender roles in reproductive health service [ 18 , 41 ], lack of guidelines for the mobilization of men [ 51 ], Limited interaction of key influential decision-makers in the health sector with the community [ 51 ].…”

“…In included studies, Inappropriate access to reproductive health care was described in the following phrases: Reproductive health services take a long time [ 15 , 17 , 20 , 37 , 38 , 41 - 43 , 49 , 50 , 53 , 58 , 59 ]. Male clients had fewer opportunities for HIV testing [ 40 , 41 ]. In health centers, services were provided only in the morning [ 40 , 52 ].…”

“…Male clients had fewer opportunities for HIV testing [ 40 , 41 ]. In health centers, services were provided only in the morning [ 40 , 52 ]. The distance from home and work to health centers was long [ 16 , 17 , 35 , 44 , 52 , 53 , 65 ].…”

“…The distance from home and work to health centers was long [ 16 , 17 , 35 , 44 , 52 , 53 , 65 ]. Access to services is not permanent for male participants [ 31 , 40 , 41 , 53 ]. Access to the centers is difficult due to poor road infrastructure [ 16 , 30 , 34 , 42 , 53 , 58 ].…”