Assessing Comprehensive Sexuality Education Programs in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: Adolescents’ and Teachers’ Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices towards Contraception

Introduction: Improving teenagers’ knowledge on sexual and reproductive health (SRH) is\r\nimportant to prevent unintended pregnancies. We aimed to assess comprehensive\r\nsexuality education (CSE) programs and knowledge, attitudes and practices of adolescents and teachers\r\ntowards contraception. Methods: Based on the reasoned action theory and CSE\r\nguidelines, a qualitative study was conducted with seven teachers and 62\r\nadolescents aged 15 - 19. The data were collected through six focus groups (FG) of adolescents\r\nand seven semi-structured interviews of teachers. The program of the family\r\nlife education course (FLEC) was assessed. The Atlas Ti software helped to\r\nanalyze the data, using a deductive approach. Results: The periodic abstinence, male condoms and pills were the most known contraceptive\r\nmethods. Adolescents and teachers were reluctant to use artificial\r\ncontraceptive methods, apart from the male condom which they used irregularly.\r\nGirls especially preferred natural contraceptive methods, fearing side effects, such as the risk of\r\ninfertility. Almost all adolescents wanted to be informed on SRH and family\r\nplanning in school. However, they estimated that the content of the FLEC was insufficient and\r\ncriticized the teachers’ lack of openness. Their main sources of information were peers, siblings and the internet. Mothers were an\r\nimportant source of information for girls, unlike fathers considered to be\r\nindifferent or even frightening. Conclusion: Adolescents’ and teachers’ knowledge are weak; and their attitudes unfavorable towards contraception. Misconceptions about contraception lead to\r\nthe use of ineffective practices to prevent unwanted pregnancies. To improve\r\nknowledge, a teacher training program should be developed and the content of\r\nthe FLEC improved, formalized and regulated.