Evidence based approaches to sexuality education for adolescents – Adolescent health and development with a particular focus on sexual and reproductive health in Sudan Hani Mohammed Ibrahim Bashir Reproductive and Child Health Research Unit at University of Medical Sciences and Technology, Khartoum hani.bashir85@gmail.com
Introduction Preparing children and young people in the transition to adulthood is one of the humanity’s great challenges, with human sexuality and relationships at its core. During primary school, our knowledge about sexual education is scanty and we categorized it as secret or adult issue. In the secondary school many components of adolescent health and sexuality education have been integrated with an existing subject, as biology, religious and primary health care. Sexuality education is defined as an age-appropriate, culturally relevant approach to teaching about sex and relationships by providing scientifically accurate, realistic, non-judgmental information [1]. In this assignment I will mention the current situation of sexual education in Sudan compare with our sexual education we got in school, barriers to expand or improve sexuality education and how to overcome them.
Sexuality education in Sudan In the past our knowledge about sexual education is not taught as a separate subject in the formal education in Sudan, as schools are the main places for starting and delivering sexual education and programs, Sudan has a lower primary and secondary school enrollment rate 54% and 30%
respectively [2]. Ignorance and embarrassment about sexuality are present in most societies including Sudan. In many Sudanese cultures, even in my culture (Kordofan), there is a particular difficulty in acknowledging and discussing sexuality per se, and especially in accepting adolescents as sexual beings. Sudanese people consider sexual relations to be an intensely private matter and discussion of sex is considered a taboo in communities [3].
Barriers to expand sexuality education in Sudan There is fixed idea in Sudanese people, that sex is one of the topics should not talk about it in front of people or in general, this fear closely related to culture and social concept of the sex as a sin and talking about it is prohibited. Usually children not allowed to ask or discuss the sexual issues with their parents, public or in gender mixed groups. In the Sudan at the highest level of community leaders, ministers, policy makers and people they consider sexuality education result in sexual permissiveness and behavior and they defend their ideas as advocacy for the chastity and sexual abstinence before marriage is better than educating adolescents about sexual practice and how to prevent HIV/AIDS and contraceptive use.
Evidence based practice of sexuality education Effective sexual education is important because of the impact of cultural values and religious beliefs of all individuals, and especially for young people, in their understanding of this issue and in managing relationships with their parents, teachers, other adults and their communities. The primary goal of sexuality education is that children and young people become equipped with the knowledge, skills and values make responsible choices about their sexual and social relationships in a world affected by HIV [4].
Suggestions on overcoming these barriers In the Sudan the use of word (sex), usually link with sexual practice and permissiveness, for this reason, it has been suggested to use more accepted terms, like couple life education (pre and post marriage), reproductive education, and family education. Involve the religious leaders' ideas and community leaders in this talk make it more accepted in Sudanese communities.
Conclusion In conclusion, if we need to make an impact on children and young people before they become sexually active, comprehensive sexuality education must become part of the formal school curriculum, delivered by well-trained and supported teachers. In Sudan is more accepted to integrate sexual education within existing subjects rather to be separated subject. It's very important to develop well organized sexual education program with integration of Islamic values and rules, and culturally accepted by Arab and Muslim countries.
References. 1. United Nations, Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. The rationale for sexuality education, an evidence-informed approach for schools, teachers and health educators, International technical guidance on sexuality education. Volume 1. [Internet]. Paris: Department of HIV and AIDS; 2009 [cited 2012 Dec 12]. [About 123 P], Eng. Available from: http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0018/001832/183281e.pdf
2. UNICEF. Sudan Statistics, 2008. [Internet] [cited 2012 Dec 15]; Available from: http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/sudan_statistics.html 3. McLean. P. A guide to Sudanese cultural and social norms. [Internet]. The Refugee Council on behalf of The Resettlement Inter-Agency Partnership: London; March 2005 [cited 2012 Dec 12]. [About 26 P], Eng. Available from: http://www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/OneStopCMS/Core/CrawlerResourceServer.aspx?resource=2 C077294-18C9-49B8-9ECF-C31DB222B0C0&mode=link 4. United Nations, Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. International technical guidance on sexuality education, an evidence-informed approach for schools, teachers and health educators. Volume II, Topics and learning objectives. [Internet], Paris: 2009 [cited 2012 Dec 14]. [About 64 P], Eng. Available from: http://data.unaids.org/pub/ExternalDocument/2009/20091210_international_guidance_sexuality_ education_vol_2_en.pdf