Knowledge about Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH), Practice of Premarital Sexual Relationship and Pregnancy among Indonesian Adolescents: A Qualitative Exploratory Study

  • Andari Wuri Astuti, Anjarwati, Herlin Fitriana Kurniawati ,Herlin Fitriani Kurniawati

Abstract

 Despite various efforts to promote ASRH, there is still low utilisation of ASRH services and high number of Indonesian adolescent pregnancy. This study aimed to understand knowledge of Indonesian ASRH, practice of premarital sexual relationship led to adolescent pregnancy from the perspectives of adolescents and their parents. A qualitative exploratory study was employed and data saturation were reached after 28 interviews from twenty participants (ten pregnant adolescents and ten parents) by using one-to-one in-depth interview, between July-November 2018. Participants were recruited from three local Indonesian public health centres in Java, Indonesia. Data analysis used Colaizzi’s thematic approach and N-Vivo 10 software applied for data management. Lack of knowledge related to ASRH was appeared from the narratives and discussion about SRH was seen as taboo within family. Adolescents’ preference of information sources related to SRH were internet and peers. Common reason of adolescents’ unprotected premarital sexual relationship was assuring of love and experimenting, in which resulted to their pregnancy. When pregnancy occurred, adolescents were fear of parents, shocked and anxious. Whilst, parents were disappointed, fear of community judgement and felt like failing parents. However, parents still provided support such as providing accommodation, nutrition, financial and guided adolescents engaged in marriage and motherhood. There is a need to design ASRH service which is culturally sensitive, youth friendly, and involving parents to improve Indonesian adolescents’ understanding and awareness of SRH. Including ASRH topics in schools’ curricula is also essential to increase adolescents’ knowledge of SRH, which therefore they could make better choices related to their SRH behaviour.

Published
2020-04-14
How to Cite
Andari Wuri Astuti, Anjarwati, Herlin Fitriana Kurniawati ,Herlin Fitriani Kurniawati. (2020). Knowledge about Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH), Practice of Premarital Sexual Relationship and Pregnancy among Indonesian Adolescents: A Qualitative Exploratory Study. International Journal of Advanced Science and Technology, 29(7s), 191 - 204. Retrieved from http://sersc.org/journals/index.php/IJAST/article/view/9427