Presentation Information
[ejb9XLcK-02]Building a Collaborative Research Platform on Early Adolescents and Gender Norms: Key Findings from A Cross-Sectional Study, Cape Town, South Africa
Rinko Kinoshita (University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa)
Background
Early adolescents (EAs) aged between 10 and 14, account for half of 1.2 billion adolescent population worldwide. During early adolescence (EA), they go through puberty and experience social and cognitive shifts. This is a period when gender norms are shaped, manifesting in their perceptions, attitudes and behaviors. Unequal gender norms may negatively affect adolescents’ sexual and reproductive health (ASRH), including unintentional pregnancy, violence, and mental health issues. The EA continues to be the most poorly understood period of life due to paucity of evidence.
Methodology
A quantitative, cross-sectional study was conducted in low socio-economic suburbs in Cape Town, South Africa, as part of the Global Early Adolescent Study (GEAS) led by Johns Hopkins University. Through a two-stage sampling method, 569 learners aged 11–14 were recruited from 11 schools. Data collection took place from July 2019 to March 2020, using GEAS’s close-ended, semi-structured questionnaires. EAs self-administered questionnaires through a Computer Assisted Self-interviewing (CASI) method. The study aimed at identifying key factors influencing EAs’ constructing gender norms and explored how unequal gender norms may affect EAs’ SRH knowledge and behaviors.
Key Findings
The EAs construct gender norms through a collective influence across the different levels of the Socio-ecological model. The participants reported a high prevalence of ACEs (92% of EAs reported at least one); peer violence perpetration (28%) or victimization (60%); and anxiety or depression symptoms (94% reported at least one). When adjusted for other covariates, stereotypical gender norms were associated with early initiation of romantic relationships and sexual activity; knowledge level of pregnancy and HIV prevention; IPV victimization; and depression symptoms, interplayed by ACEs.
Implications
The study calls for an urgent need to create a multi-country research collaboration platform focused on Gender norms and EAs. The GEAS is a good model as it pioneered the development of gender-norm indices and questionnaires, published various articles from multi-country analysis, and mobilized additional research funding for longitudinal or intervention studies. These studies provided crucial evidence to inform policies and practices, specifically targeting EAs.
Early adolescents (EAs) aged between 10 and 14, account for half of 1.2 billion adolescent population worldwide. During early adolescence (EA), they go through puberty and experience social and cognitive shifts. This is a period when gender norms are shaped, manifesting in their perceptions, attitudes and behaviors. Unequal gender norms may negatively affect adolescents’ sexual and reproductive health (ASRH), including unintentional pregnancy, violence, and mental health issues. The EA continues to be the most poorly understood period of life due to paucity of evidence.
Methodology
A quantitative, cross-sectional study was conducted in low socio-economic suburbs in Cape Town, South Africa, as part of the Global Early Adolescent Study (GEAS) led by Johns Hopkins University. Through a two-stage sampling method, 569 learners aged 11–14 were recruited from 11 schools. Data collection took place from July 2019 to March 2020, using GEAS’s close-ended, semi-structured questionnaires. EAs self-administered questionnaires through a Computer Assisted Self-interviewing (CASI) method. The study aimed at identifying key factors influencing EAs’ constructing gender norms and explored how unequal gender norms may affect EAs’ SRH knowledge and behaviors.
Key Findings
The EAs construct gender norms through a collective influence across the different levels of the Socio-ecological model. The participants reported a high prevalence of ACEs (92% of EAs reported at least one); peer violence perpetration (28%) or victimization (60%); and anxiety or depression symptoms (94% reported at least one). When adjusted for other covariates, stereotypical gender norms were associated with early initiation of romantic relationships and sexual activity; knowledge level of pregnancy and HIV prevention; IPV victimization; and depression symptoms, interplayed by ACEs.
Implications
The study calls for an urgent need to create a multi-country research collaboration platform focused on Gender norms and EAs. The GEAS is a good model as it pioneered the development of gender-norm indices and questionnaires, published various articles from multi-country analysis, and mobilized additional research funding for longitudinal or intervention studies. These studies provided crucial evidence to inform policies and practices, specifically targeting EAs.
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