Transcript Slide 1
Baseline Study on: Identifying Reproductive Health Needs of Visually Impaired Adolescents and Pre-Teens, in Tanzania Why this Baseline Study? 1. Recent studies (in Tanzania) show that children start having sex at very early age (forced or willingly) 2. Studies around the world show sexuality education is most effective, given before children start become sexually active What about visually impaired children? Why this Baseline Study? 1. Visually impaired children miss out much of ‘normal’ information on sexuality 2. Children with disability are more vulnerable What do they know and need to know? What is their situation? In order to know best response! How is Baseline Study done? 1. Over 200 visually impaired pupils 2. In special schools and annexed classes (visually impaired only, and/ or integrated education) 3. Three age groups (6-9, 10-12, 13+) 4. Evenly spread boys and girls 5. Spread geographically (5 locations) 6. Specially trained survey team (6) 7. Variety of methods to gather information 8. Led by specialist researcher on sexuality education amongst (young) children Objectives Baseline Study: 1. How is knowledge, attitude, experience related to body, sexuality, sex, abuse, risks and HIV/ Aids amongst pupils? 2. How do they get information? 3. Identify key needs for sexuality and reproductive health education for visually impaired pupils Some results Baseline Study See tables 1,2,3 HIV awareness 1. Ave. 80% said to have heard, but… significant minority (20%) did not 2. Ave. 72% said to know ways of infection, but… myths equally prevalent, such as: holding hands can lead to infection (40%) Some results Baseline Study Perceptions of sexual activity 1. Extensive vocabulary slang and bad words, but not correct meaning (e.g. to rape) 2. Nearly all indicated that touching/ ‘raping’ (?) happens in two discussed children’s games 3. Very ‘dark’/ ‘bad’ interpretations when hearing about a man offering soda to young child Some results Baseline Study See table 5 Perceptions and experiences related to wanted or unwanted sex 1. Exposed to sexual activity at early age 2. Badly prepared to negotiate/ act/ protect/ talk in such situations 3. Often do not have clear understanding of their rights and the distinction between willing vs forced sex Some results Baseline Study See table 5 Perceptions & experiences: wanted or unwanted sex (over total respondents, after explaining terminology) - 29% says to know a child that was raped - 32% says to have had sex willingly - 20% says to have had sex unwillingly/ forced - 13% says to have been raped - 15% says someone tried to rape /have sex with them Note with results Baseline Study For complete interpretation of results above, methodology, tables: 1. See full report on draft results: check with Jeske Decock at meeting 2. Further contact: [email protected]