Sex education and men’s sexual and reproductive health practices in a high HIV prevalence setting: does exposure to sex education improve sexual and reproductive health outcomes in Botswana?

Kenabetsho Bainame, University of Botswana
Serai Daniel Rakgoasi, University of Botswana
Mpho Keetile, University of Botswana
Motsholathebe Bowelo, University of Botswana

Exposure to sex education is expected to have positive effect on an individual’s sexual and HIV risk practices and behaviors in later life. This paper uses data from the 2007 Botswana Family Health survey (BFHS-2007) to investigate the association between exposure to sex education in schools and men’s sexual and reproductive health practices. The BFHS-2007 sampled 4030 men between ages of 12-29 years, and solicited responses on a wide range of issues, including exposure to sex education, sexual and reproductive practices; fertility as well as partner characteristics. About 82% of men were exposed to sex education, of which more than have had sexual initiation. A higher percentage of respondents who have not received sex education would have not used a condom at sexual debut and would have sired a child. The paper concludes that if introduced early, sex education improves life skills in sexual initiation, condom use and childbearing.