ICTs, youth and sex : investigating the feasibility of using computers, CD-ROMs and the Internet to teach school-going youth in Kampala District (Uganda) about sexual reproductive health : a case study of the World Starts With Me programme

Abstract

Abstract

Uganda has the youngest population in the world and a significant number of these youth get involved in early sexual activity thus exposing themselves to unwanted pregnancies, unsafe abortions, STIs and other complications like obstetric fistula. These risks are attributed to lack of sex education, peer and social pressure, lack of skills needed to resist such pressures, lack of youth-friendly sexual health and counselling services and poverty. Since youth have been identified as the earliest users of new technologies like mobile phones, computers and the Internet, these tools can be harnessed to deliver sexuality education to overcome the trajectory of engaging in risky sexual behaviour. One such programme is The World Starts With Me (WSWM) programme which is the focus of this study. The WSWM is a web-based, CD-ROM curriculum on IT and SRHR for adolescents in schools. The study mainly seeks to examine the relevance, potential and sustainability of using computers, CD-ROMs and the Internet to teach school-going youth about SRH. Using health communication and development communication theories, the study analyses the factors considered when designing and implementing the programme, the knowledge, attitudes and skills youth got from it and the challenges of using new technologies in sexuality education.

Using data collected from a combination of qualitative interviews, document analysis, focus group discussions and observation, the study noted that while the infusion of technology in the programme was a major attraction for some youth to join the programme, it was shunned by majority of the students mainly because they are apathetic towards sex education programmes. This suggests that there is need to first align the youths’ opinions towards particular messages before they are packaged in trendy styles. The study noted that although the programme had largely succeeded in equipping some youth with SRH knowledge and skills, some programme goals have not been met because of insufficient training among the actual programme implementers (the teachers), inadequate time, financial and technological resources.