Reproductive health behaviour among In-school and out-of-school youth in Kabarole District, Uganda

This study was conducted to elucidate whether in-school adolescents have sexual behavioural patterns that differ from those of out-of-school adolescents. A total of 300 in- chool and 256 out-of-school adolescents were interviewed. Condom use was significantly higher among in-school than out-of-school adolescents. In-school adolescents had fewer sexual partners in the previous year and had started sexual activities at a later age than out-of-school adolescents. In-school adolescents were more likely to have used modern contraceptive in the past than out-of-school adolescents. We conclude that out-of-school adolescents are less likely to practice safe sex and to use modern family planning methods than in-school adolescents. This indicates the need to provide more information to this group of adolescents. They are traditionally neglected in favour of in-school adolescents, who have greater access to information. Key words : Modern contraceptives, HIV/AIDS, reproductive behaviour, adolescents, Uganda Resume Les comportements de la sante de reproduction chez les jeunes gens en scolarisation et descolarises dans la region de Kabarole Cette etude a ete menee pour voir si les adolescents en scolarisation ont un comportement sexuel qui est different de celui des adolescents descolarises. Trois cent adolescents en milieu scolaire et 256 adolescents en milieu extra-scolaire ont ete interviewes. Les adolescents en scolarisation avaient plus l\'habitude de se servir des preservatifs que les adolescents qui descolarises. Les adolescents en scolarisation avaient moins de partenaires sexuels dans l\'annee precedente et avaient deja commence des activites sexuelles a un âge plus avance que les adolescents descolarises. Les adolescents en scolarisation avaient plus la possibilite d\'avoir utilise les contraceptifs modernes dans le passe que les adolescents descolarises. Comme conclusion, nous affirmons que les adolescents descolarises ont moins la possibilite d\'avoir des rapports sexuels sans danger et d\'utiliser les methodes de planification familiale moderne que les adolescents en scolarisation. Ceci montre la necessite de donner plus de renseignements a ce groupe d\'adolescents. Ils sont traditionnellement negliges en faveur des adolescents qui sont toujours en scolarisation qui ont beaucoup plus d\'acces aux renseignements. African Journal of Reproductive Health Vol. 8 (3) 2004: 55-67