Cultural clashes in reproductive health information in schools Available to Purchase

This paper reports on an empirical study that investigated the content of and perceptions about reproductive health information among school teachers and learners in a rural area of South Africa. Qualitative methods were used to assess the dissemination and acceptability of and perceptions about information related to HIV/AIDS, sexuality, family planning, sexually transmitted diseases and reproductive cancers. The data highlight the cultural incongruity among teachers, learners, family and the health sectors. It is argued that this incongruity undermines the objectives of such reproductive health information. The theory of the social construction of reality is applied to envisage an approach that will overcome cultural incongruities. There may well be other areas in South Africa which have similar experiences, but this study is not intended as a general reflection of a South African situation. None‐the‐less, important findings that may impact on school policy have emerged.