Journal of Education and Health Promotion

Sexual health education issues (challenges) for adolescent boys in Iran: A qualitative study

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

. Fariba Askari
. Khadigeh Mirzaiinajmabadi 1
. Mahmood Saeedy Rezvani 2
. Seyyed Mohsen Asgharinekah 3

1 Nursing and Midwifery Care Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

2 Department of Curriculum Studies and Instruction, Faculty of Education and Psychology, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran

3 Department of Educational and Counseling Psychology, Faculty of Education and Psychology, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Sexual health education, especially in adolescents, faces excess challenges in
many cultures. Iranian adolescents, especially boys, have many educational needs in the field of
sexual health that have not been met due to various obstacles. The main purpose of this qualitative
study was to explore the challenges of sexual health education for Iranian adolescent boys.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: This qualitative content analysis study was conducted through
individual semi‑structured in‑depth interviews from 45 participants (20 adolescents and 25 key
adults). Data were analyzed using inductive conventional content analysis based on the Graneheim
and Lundman’s approach via MAXQDA software (version 2010) by VERBI GmbH Company, Berlin,
Germany.
RESULTS: In total, 2 categories and 11 subcategories emerged; including, “extrapersonal barriers
to sexual health education for adolescent boys” containing seven subcategories of lack of clear
policies, family inadequacy, social barriers, cultural heterogeneity, school inadequacy, cyber threats,
and educational process inadequacy concerning adolescent sexual health education as well as
“intrapersonal barriers to sexual health education for adolescent boys” comprised four subcategories
of uncontrolled emotions of adolescence, adolescent rebellion, information and communication
weaknesses, and adolescents’ concerns about being judged by others.
CONCLUSION: The findings clarify some barriers to sexual health education for adolescent boys.
Therefore, it was recommended to develop community‑based educational programs to change
attitudes of families and society toward addressing the challenges of providing sexual health
education to adolescent boys. Moreover, it was suggested to utilize an educational program specific
to adolescent boys, tailored to the Iranian culture, using the potential of religion.

Keywords

Adolescent
boys
challenges
qualitative study
sexual health education
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Journal of Education and Health Promotion
Volume 10, Issue 2
February 2020
Pages 1-9

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