Paper Review Assignment | Custom Assignment Help

 

Research Proposal

Sexual and Reproductive Health among Adolescents

Tanganika Ramos

Georgia College & State University

Research Methods I: Kinesology

Dr. Adeyemi

July 2, 2020

 

 

 

 

 

Introduction

Adolescence is a complicated phase in an individual’s life due to emotional and physical transformation. Youth is often accompanied by conflicts with independence, responsibility, and experimentation, paving the way for health and social problems to arise (Govender et al. 2019). The world health organization identifies the major health issues that can be associated with the adolescence stage. Some of the health issues include premature pregnancy, childbirth, sexually transmitted infections such as HIV/AIDS, depression, and violence (Govender et al. 2019). As per the World Health Organization, a minimum of 777,000 girls under fifteen years of age get pregnant, especially in low and middle-income nations ((“Adolescents sexual and reproductive health,” 2020)). There are over 3.9 million risky terminations of pregnancies on girls aged between 15 and 19 every year. The number of child marriages is estimated at 39,000 every day ((“Adolescents sexual and reproductive health,” 2020)). These numbers indicate the need for concern over the sexual and health knowledgeability among adolescents. Despite the critical nature of sexual and reproductive health among adolescents, this aspect of health is often overlooked. Sexual and reproductive health plans are often overlooked because there are no budgetary allocations to implement fully functioning processes. In this research, the level of sexual and reproductive health information available to adolescents is evaluated using a sample population of this age group to determine their capacity to make informed decisions regarding their sexual and reproductive health.

Literature Review

Global Position on Sexual and Reproductive Health

The risk of poor health outcomes among adolescents is a common trend worldwide. The shifts in the societal setting and behavior of people in society have accelerated the dangers of poor health outcomes (3). An analysis based on research done in various countries shows that investing in appropriate prevention and treatment policies is fundamental to preserving the sexual and reproductive health of adolescents (Bearinger et al. 2007). It is essential to ensure that all adolescents access quality and youth-specific healthcare services to ensure this group’s health. Preventive measures include implementing sex education programs that are comprehensive and offer accurate information on the topic (Bearinger et al. 2007). The disproportionately worse sexual and reproductive health of girls over boys is notable even within the context of the entire group of adolescents. There is a need to provide equal access to the development programs for both genders (Bearinger et al. 2007). Such is particularly important in communities where structures are institutionalized that could disadvantage girls such as early marriages.  The global position on the issue is that adolescents are still disproportionately exposed to dangers to their sexual and reproductive health (Bearinger et al. 2007). It calls for deliberation over measures to change the condition.

American Teenagers’ Sexual and Reproductive Health (Age 10-24)

The surveillance by Berman et al. 2009 discusses the state of sexual and reproductive health among American teenagers between 10 and 24 years. The report is based on information from the National Vital Statistics Systems, focusing on addressing three fundamental aspects. The report focuses on the current state of risk behavior, disparities by age, sex, ethnicity, and geographic residence, and how it has been over time (Berman et al. 2009). The report shows noticeable inequalities in the sexual and reproductive health of young people in the United States. An instance is a higher rate of pregnancy among Hispanic and black adolescents than non-Hispanic whites (Berman et al. 2009). The minority ethnicities are also disproportionately affected by sexually transmitted infections such as HIV/AIDS. There is also a disparity based on the region where the southern states record the highest rates of adverse sexual and reproductive health status, including sexually transmitted infections and early pregnancy (Berman et al. 2009). While the rate of sexual disparity continues to decline, progress in achieving good sexual and reproductive health is far from satisfactory (Berman et al. 2009). The report shows that sexual and reproductive health is a challenge even in the united states, and disparities exist based on age, gender, and geographical location.

Sexual and Reproductive Health among Adolescents in Third-World Countries

The topic of sexual and reproductive health is significant in developing countries as much if not more than in developed nations. According to Hindin and Fatusi (2009), there are over one billion people aged between 10 and 19 years old, and seventy percent of them reside in developing nations. Sexual initiation among young adults remains on a constant rise in the developing countries (Hindin and Fatusi 2009). According to research, AIDS is considered a pandemic in Sub-Saharan Africa, owing to the high number of youth living with the disease (Hindin and Fatusi 2009). The communities have managed to implement school-based interventions amidst mixed reactions from the locals (Hindin and Fatusi 2009). The research by Hindin and Fatusi (2009) finds that unmarried and sexually active adolescents do not use contraceptives. The generally low embrace of modern contraceptives and the existence of cultural beliefs such as stigmatization of childlessness is a significant factor in Sub-Sahara Africa that poses a threat to sexual and reproductive health (Hindin and Fatusi 2009). The available interventions are school-based, which is insufficient in eliminating the existing disparity in sexual and reproductive health among adolescents.

Improving Sexual and Reproductive Health among Adolescents

Adolescents are identified as a particular group with special needs in the sustenance of sexual and reproductive health. A review by Salam et al. (2016) assesses the possible interventions that can be implemented to advance the sexual and reproductive health of youths. The proposed methods include education on sexual and reproductive health, counseling services, and the provision of contraceptives (Salam et al. 2016). These measures ensure that the youths are supplied with the necessary information to make informed decisions, use the contraception methods, and reduce unwanted pregnancies (Salam et al. 2016). Raising awareness of the potentially adverse effects of specific sexual behavior such as Female Genital Mutilation is instrumental in reducing its prevalence (Salam et al. 2016). The review identifies the need to scale-up evidence-based measures that can improve sexual and reproductive health among youth in low and middle-income areas to give equitable results in the long term (Salam et al. 2016). Additional research is needed to ensure positive sexual and reproductive health among the adolescent group.

Research Questions

1. What is the level of Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health information available to adolescents?
2. What is the role of parental involvement and societal involvement in improved sexual and reproductive health outcomes?
3. What is the condition of sexual and reproductive health in third world countries compared to first world countries?
4. What are the causes of disproportionally adverse sexual and reproductive health outcomes among youths?
5. What measures can be adopted to mitigate the causes of adverse sexual and reproductive health among youths?

Aims/ Objectives

1. To identify the availability of Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health Information among adolescents.
2. To identify the contribution of parents and the community to the sexual and reproductive health of adolescents.
3. To assess the situation of sexual and reproductive health in third world nations compared to first world countries.
4. To identify the causes of disproportionally adverse sexual and reproductive health outcomes among youth.
5. To determine measures that can be adopted to mitigate the causes of adverse sexual and reproductive health among youths.

Problem Statement

There are identifiable disparities in the sexual and reproductive health of adolescents all around the world. It is a fundamental matter that distresses both developing and developed nations, although in different forms and at different severities. Within the adolescent group, there exists further disparities based on gender, age, geographical location, and ethnicities. Sexual and reproductive health is a social problem accelerated by societal and behavioral changes of the twenty-first century. There is a lack of sufficient information about proper practices that can safeguard adolescents’ health, which points to complacency in eliminating adverse sexual and reproductive health outcomes. Sexual and reproductive health is illustrated through conditions such as premature pregnancy, early childbirth, early marriages, and sexually transmitted infections such as HIV/AIDS among the youths. The prevalence of these issues is an indicator that not much effort has been put towards the eradication of risks to the sexual and reproductive health of adolescents. In most communities, intervention is solely done through education in schools, which is negatively affected by the community’s predominant values and beliefs. The World Health Organization indicates the number of teenagers at risk of early pregnancies, unsafe abortions, and early marriages, all of which contribute to poor sexual and reproductive health, particularly among girls. Research into the issue is necessary to identify the causal factors and formulate mitigation measures to eradicate them and ensure sexual and reproductive health.

Methodology

The research methodology adopted is through the use of questionnaires administered to a sample of adolescents. The study design is qualitative, involving the collection of responses given by adolescents to prior-prepared surveys comprising of open-ended questionnaires. The analysis of the information provided will take a narrative approach to discuss the concept of sexual and reproductive health based on the accounts of the interviewed adolescents. Data is collected utilizing specifically designed questionnaires that contain prompts that will retrieve the desired information from the target sample. Other tools to be used in the study include observation, interviews, checklists, and an evaluation of case studies. The study targets adolescents and teenagers aged between 10 and 17 years old. The data is to be evaluated using the narrative analysis technique. The information collected through surveys, interviews, and field case studies can be mass analyzed.

One primary ethical consideration is the fact that the target population is comprised of minors. Such may be specifically vulnerable, which will necessitate special considerations in the design and implementation of the research. These issues will be considered in addition to the general tenets of ensuring consent, informing the participants of the nature of the study and application of their information.

Confidentaility

The research must seek to respect the privacy and confidentiality of the participants and use the information only for the purpose for which it is obtained. The records from this study will be kept as confidential as possible. No individual identities will be used in any reports or publications resulting from the study. All data collection from the questionnaires will be given codes and stored separately from any names or other direct identification of participants. Research information will be kept in locked files at all times. Only research personnel will have access to the files and questionnaire and only those with an essential need to see names or other identifying information will have access to that particular file.

Expected Impact

The research can help to illuminate the situation regarding sexual and reproductive health in various countries. This research identifies the disparities that exist within the issue of sexual and reproductive health among adolescents. The findings are a basis on which intervention measures can be put in place to reverse the adverse sexual and reproductive health outcomes among youth. The proposed measures can be further researched to develop evidence-backed methodologies of ensuring sufficient knowledge and information among adolescents. The research can result in the development of specific interventions specific to the adolescent group for long-term sustenance of proper sexual and reproductive health and more equitable results.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

References

Adolescents sexual and reproductive health. (2020). Retrieved 24 June 2020, from https://www.who.int/reproductivehealth/topics/adolescence/en/

Bearinger, L. H., Sieving, R. E., Ferguson, J., & Sharma, V. (2007). Global perspectives on the sexual and reproductive health of adolescents: patterns, prevention, and potential. The lancet, 369(9568), 1220-1231.

Berman, S. M., Brown, K., Dittus, P., Ferdon, C. D., Gavin, L. E., Harrier, S., … & Rangel, M. (2009). Sexual and reproductive health of persons aged 10-24 years–the United States, 2002-2007.

Govender, D., Naidoo, S., & Taylor, M. (2019). Knowledge, attitudes, and peer influences related to pregnancy, sexual and reproductive health among adolescents using maternal health services in Ugu, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. BMC public health, 19(1), 928.

Hindin, M. J., & Fatusi, A. O. (2009). Adolescent sexual and reproductive health in developing countries: an overview of trends and interventions. International perspectives on sexual and reproductive health, 35(2), 58-62.

Salam, R. A., Faqqah, A., Sajjad, N., Lassi, Z. S., Das, J. K., Kaufman, M., & Bhutta, Z. A. (2016). Improving adolescent sexual and reproductive health: A systematic review of potential interventions. Journal of adolescent health, 59(4), S11-S28.