Asking young people about sexual and reproductive behaviours: Illustrative Core Instruments.

Abstract

Most studies on adolescent sexual and reproductive health will require a core set of questions to be asked. In recognition of this, a core set of instruments was developed for WHO, including a survey questionnaire, and focus group discussion and in-depth interview field guides, that could be adapted as appropriate by researchers to suit the needs of their particular research question and the cultural context in which the study would take place.

The following documents are available on the WHO website:

  • Asking young people about sexual and reproductive behaviours: Introduction to Illustrative Core Instruments
  • An Illustrative Questionnaire for Interview-Surveys with Young People (John Cleland)
  • Topics for Individual Interviews and Focus Group Discussions: Partner selection, sexual behaviour and risk taking (Roger Ingham and Nicole Stone); 3 documents including and introduction, topics for in-depth interviews, and topics for focus group discussions

Each of these instruments focuses on documenting knowledge, beliefs, behaviour and outcomes in the areas of sexual and reproductive health, and thereby outlines the needs and concerns of young people. Findings should provide direction for interventions or advocacy.

Citation

Cleland, J.; Ingham, R.; Stone, N. Asking young people about sexual and reproductive behaviours: Illustrative Core Instruments. World Health Organization, (2005) 20 + 42 + 5 + 31 + 11 pp.

Published 1 January 2005