Schoolgirls’ Knowledge of, and Efforts against Risky Sexual Activity: The Needs for Sex Education in Schools

This study explored schoolgirls’ knowledge of sexual activity and their efforts against risky sexual activity including unplanned–premarital–pregnancies in Bagamoyo district and Shinyanga district, in Tanzania. Schoolgirls in Tanzania are under considerable pressure to engage in sexual activity unrealistically, and consequently drop out of school due to pregnancy. Using questionnaire, covert observation, and focus group interviews to 96 schoolgirls, the study revealed that schoolgirls have the basic knowledge of sexual activity, and most of them are sexually active. Schoolgirls practise sexual activity but they have less negotiating power on safer sex and preventing themselves from pregnancy and HIV infections. They are also at considerable risks of sexual violence or abuse from their teachers and the ‘sugar daddies’ through sexual exploitation. The study, then, underscores the provision of sex education to students and the whole community as well as rethinking on how to bring up the youths in acceptable sexual behaviours. 

This study explored schoolgirls’ knowledge of sexual activity and their efforts against risky sexual activity including unplanned–premarital–pregnancies in Bagamoyo district and Shinyanga district, in Tanzania. Schoolgirls in Tanzania are under considerable pressure to engage in sexual activity unrealistically, and consequently drop out of school due to pregnancy. Using questionnaire, covert observation, and focus group interviews to 96 schoolgirls, the study revealed that schoolgirls have the basic knowledge of sexual activity, and most of them are sexually active. Schoolgirls practise sexual activity but they have less negotiating power on safer sex and preventing themselves from pregnancy and HIV infections. They are also at considerable risks of sexual violence or abuse from their teachers and the ‘sugar daddies’ through sexual exploitation. The study, then, underscores the provision of sex education to students and the whole community as well as rethinking on how to bring up the youths in acceptable sexual behaviours.