Bangladeshi Male Youth SRHR Study infographics 2020

Abstract

Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) is an important issue for everyone. However, it is being neglected for young males (15-24 years) in Bangladesh. A majority of SRHR research and interventions are female-centric. Although the government of Bangladesh has taken many initiatives to improve the sexual and reproductive health and rights of the general population, the male youth segment has not been prioritized in most of these interventions. A few programs engage male adolescents (up to age 19 years), but a major portion of youth (aged 19-24 years) remains underserved. As the male youth population was not previously targeted, there is also a gap of research evidence to understand their SRHR knowledge, associated practices, and behavior, as well as their needs and service availability for SRHR. This is critical because not only they represent 50% of the 30 million people belonging to this age group in Bangladesh, but also their understanding of their SRH and subsequent behavior will have an impact on their health and wellbeing, as well as on the lives of their female counterparts.

Full text

Male Youth and their Sexual and Reproductive
Health and Rights (SRHR) in Bangladesh:
A Mixed Methods Nationwide Study
Research Findings: Objective 1
BRAC James P Grant School of Public Health, BRAC University
Project Duration: 18 Months
Project Location: 64 Districts in Bangladesh
Population: 15 to 24 Year-Old Male Youths
Funded by: Embassy of the Royal Kingdom of the Netherlands
Background of the project: Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) is
an important issue for everyone. However, it is being neglected for young males
(15-24 years) in Bangladesh. A majority of SRHR research and interventions are
female centric. Although the government of Bangladesh has taken many initiatives
to improve the sexual and reproductive health and rights of the general population,
the male youth segment has not been prioritized in most of these interventions. A
few programs engage male adolescents (up to age 19 years), but a major portion of
youth (aged 19-24 years) remains underserved. As the male youth population was
not previously targeted, there is also a gap of research evidence to understand their
SRHR knowledge, associated practices, and behavior, as well as their needs and
service availability for SRHR. This is critical because not only they represent 50% of
the 30million people belonging to this age group in Bangladesh, but also their
understanding of their SRH and subsequent behavior will have an impact on their
health and wellbeing, as well as on the lives of their female counterparts.
Objective 1 – Identify SRH needs: To understand the knowledge, perceptions and
practices about SRHR, and challenges in accessing SRHR services for male youth in
Bangladesh
Objective 2 – Mapping of existing SRH interventions: Mapping the existing SRH
interventions for male youth and identifying the gaps and challenges to improve
SRHR interventions and/or services
Objective 3 – Review existing SRH policies: Review existing policies regarding
SRHR for male youth and identify the barriers of implementation in programs and
generate recommendations for policy advocacy
SRHR
Knowledge ● Peer networks are the first source of information for knowledge
of puberty for 60% respondents, followed by schools/teachers
(52%)
● 54% respondents had not heard of STI/STDs
● 27% male youth had not heard the term “family planning”
Necessary information and health services related to sexual and reproductive
health should be available to male youth. Lack of proper knowledge regarding
these issues can further deteriorate our overall health status. So, I believe it is
our right to know about SRHR and related services. — A 21 year-old unmarried
boy, Bandarban
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● Overall, 75% males have watched pornography at least once
during their lifetime
● Average age of watching pornography for the first-time found to
be 14.8 years
● On average, married male youth have 1.3 sexual partners in the
last three months, apart from wife
● Average age of first sexual experience – 16.5 years and 18%
young unmarried males had sexual experience at least once
● Condom use during last sexual encounter – 30% for married,
55% for unmarried
● 11% used sexual stimulants (Viagra, Yaba, herbal etc.) during
sexual activity at least once
SRHR
Practice
SRHR
Perception
● 29% young males think that condom reduces pleasure
● 3% respondents believe to be at risk of HIV/AIDS
● 30% young males think that a female smoker or drinker is
easily available for sex
● 28% young males agree that sexually transmitted diseases are a
result of weak faith/curses/evil eye compared to 50% who
disagree
● Most males spend time in “adda” (86%), on an average 1.5
hours per day
● Only 23% read newspaper/magazines/books on a daily basis
● Average time spent on Facebook or other social media (through
any device) is 1.7 hours per day
● 53% males played outside in the last seven days
● 91% have mobile phone access, of which 64% have access to a
smartphone
Daily
activities
Use of
Technology
● 28% respondents are currently smokers and average age of first
smoke is 15.2 years,
● 47% smokers are between 21-24 years old
● In the last 6 months roughly 1.3% respondents consumed
Yaba and 3.8% consumed alcohol
Risk Taking
Behavior
Attitude
towards women
● 58% males agreed, “A man using violence against his wife is
a private matter that shouldn’t be discussed with others”
● 60% males agreed, “A woman who has sex before she
marries does not deserve respect”
● 43% males agreed, “Only when a woman has a child, she is a
real woman”
● 86% males agreed, “Being able to function sexually is important
to me as a man”
● 54% males agreed, “A woman's role is taking care of her home
and family”
● 68% males agreed, “A woman should obey her husband in all
things”
Masculinity
and Gender
roles
SRHR
Health
seeking
behavior
● Only 6% males ever consulted doctor/nurse/health professional
at least once
● Informal health care providers are (Kobiraj/Homeopathy/local
pharmacy) are the most reported first points of contact for SRH
problems, such as erectile dysfunction, wet dreams, genital
ulcers
● Shyness was highly reported as a barrier to seek any sort of
healthcare despite experiencing erectile dysfunction, urethral
discharge, testicular swelling, semen leakage
“No one discussed these issues (masturbation, wet dream) with us. That is why
we discuss it with friends. We do not know where to get correct information. It
would be better for us if we knew it.” – Respondents of FGD 1, Satkhira
“After consuming alcohol or Yaba, the body becomes hot. Then it is more
enjoyable to have physical relation for a longer period.” – A 19 year old unmarried
male, Chattogram
“The Tabeez (amulet) tied to my waist is for strength, to increases my sexual
power.” – A 23 year old married male, Sunamganj
“It is necessary to become a man. We are not girls, okay? Jail, death penalty –
these are made for us. If we don’t do this, then it would be a waste of life”
– A 19 year old unmarried boy, Chattogram
“A person who is afraid to work, has no income, has no sexual energy, and so, is
a KAPURUSH. He needs to be brave.” – A 19 year old unmarried boy, Sunamganj
“I never went to the doctor for my early ejaculation problems during sex due to
shyness. Later my friend got my medicines from a pharmacy.” – A 17 year old
unmarried male, student of class 10, Satkhira
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Existing
Government and
Non-government
Interventions
Community
dialogue,
Sensitization
session with
parents, religious
leaders and youth
clubs, Adolescent
corner in school
and health
complex,
Campaign, One to
one session, Radio
programs, Booklets.
Comprehensive Sexuality Education
(CSE), Life-skills education
Training to the teachers and
service providers
Advocacy for
Comprehensive
Sexuality
Education,
Accelerating
adolescent health
strategy, Improved
health system,
Human rights
Face to
face Counselling at
youth-friendly service center,
Tele-counselling through provided
helpline number, Referral
Medical
treatment,
Diagnosis, Therapeutics and
other Clinical facilities, Vaccination
Research Findings: Objective 2 Research Findings: Objective 3
Recommendations
Existing SRHR intervention and Services
Demand Side
Community resistance against SRHR
related discussions
Accessing SRH services by school
going and employed male youth
Male youths' reluctance towards
accessing SRH services
Inadequate knowlege and awarness
regarding SRH among male youth
Supply Side
Limited male focused
interventions
Paucity of funds to ensure program
sustainability
Lack of skilled SRH service providers
at health facilities
Absence of adequately skilled
trainers and teachers at the field
level and in schools
Implementation Challenges
National Policies and Implementation
• 7th Five Year Plan lacking adequate emphasis on SRHR indicators for men
• 4th HPNSP not including any specific guideline targeting young males
• Implementation strategy for the National Youth Policy 2017 lacks adequate focus on male
SRHR issues
• Lack of coordination among implementing agencies
SRHR Laws
• The age for male children not consistent
(ranges from 14-18 years) across different
acts and laws
• Males defined as only rape perpetrators by
Section 375 (Penal Code)
• 16-18 years old male rape victims not
addressed under Women and Children
Repression Act 2000
• Forced sexual penetration on males
denied by Section 377 (Penal Code)
National Curriculum
• Male SRHR issues not equally and
elaborately described in the textbooks
compared to female SRHR issues
• Teachers not adequately sensitized to
teaching SRHR issues
• SRHR sections of the textbooks mostly
ignored in the classrooms and
examinations
• While textbooks cover an array of topics on
the subject, sexual abuse of male children
remains completely ignored
All inclusive
National Policies
More community based research on males to
generate evidence for policy making
Inclusive SRHR laws
Training on gender and social
construction of masculinity for
teachers and trainers
Comprehen
sive SRHR
chapters in
the
National
Curriculum
Portraying positive masculinity
traits through social media
Coordination among government,
NGOs, Youth centers, and other key
stakeholders across sectors
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For further details,
please contact
Professor Sabina F Rashid, PhD, Dean, BRAC James P Grant School of Public Health
Farzana A Misha, PhD, Research Coordinator BRAC James P Grant School of Public Health
Email: farzana.misha@bracu.ac.bd