Skip to main content

Table 3 Coding scheme and frequencies of sexuality education topics, strategy, and tone of communication

From: Understanding how young African adults interact with peer-generated sexual health information on Facebook and uncovering strategies for successful organic engagement

Classification

Description of Posts

Excerpted Exemplars of Posts

Freq

Percentage

TOPIC

 Abuse

Posts related to all forms of violence, including emotional violence, physical or sexual violence.

The rates at which rape is becoming prevalent and ending the dream of some girls from being virgins till marriage is very discouraging and disturbing. Some of the wicked rapists either rape for ritual purposes or because of their lack of sexual discipline.

130

3.7%

 Birth Control and Abortion

Posts about the use or non-use of birth control methods and abortion to prevent/delay a marital or premarital birth. This category also includes posts about all matters related to getting pregnant.

Dear sisters, just because he proposed marriage does not mean that you should begin the use of contraceptives.

38

1.1%

 Intimate Relations

Posts about relationships/dating/union dynamics. These also include posts about how to attract a “good” partner or the process of preparing for marriage/courtship/relationships.

Someone asked if the ladies in this group can marry a man living in a room apartment. I was shocked to see responses like “I can’t.” No one wishes to be poor, but will you refuse a man’s marital advances he is not wealthy?

1959

55.4%

 Sexual Abstinence

Posts about sex or sexual intercourse before marriage as well as its consequences (premarital pregnancy or birth).

Dear Lord, may all singles who are planning to have sex on Valentine’s Day get pregnant, let no abortion pill work for them, may all condoms tear miraculously, do not let any emergency pill work for them.

1018

28.8%

 Sexual Purity

Posts about being decent in dressing, avoiding sexual urge/feelings, nor alternative means of sexual intimacy including masturbation, smooching, kissing, hugging or other erotic activities but not sex.

Kissing and other foreplay prepare the body for sex. If you really do not want sex, as you claimed, stay clear until marriage!

388

11.0%

STRATEGY

 Status Update

General status messages that are intended to motivate behaviour change without telling a story, sharing an experience, or seeking an opinion.

Dear ladies, if you’re in a relationship with a man who doesn’t respect you, fights with you, or makes you feel less than yourself because you don’t want to have sex with him before marriage, he’s not your Mr. Right! Don’t stay in that toxic relationship! It’s not going to be worth it! Keep your head held high as you leave.

2594

73.4%

 Experience sharing

Sexual health messages on the group based on an author’s personal experience.

There was a time I was struggling with masturbation, and I got very frustrated because I was really struggling spiritually. Guilt and condemnation haunted me until one day when I asked myself why I was masturbating? That day I got my freedom from masturbation.

81

2.3%

 Request for opinion

Posts in which the author is seeking advice about a sexual and reproductive health/rights issue or intimate relations.

Can someone be deflowered by having sex?

351

9.9%

 Storytelling

Posts that tell a story - often in episodes.

“Ben raped me. How could he? I thought he was a Christian, but now I know better.” Beatrice sobbed uncontrollably. She recalled the actions that led to the wanton molestation.

507

14.4%

TONE

 Fear

Persuasive wall posts that emphasize the potential danger and harm that will befall members of the group if they engage in a specific behaviour do not adopt the messages’ sexual or reproductive recommendations.

Dear boys and girls, condoms may protect you from sexually transmitted diseases but not from Spiritual Transmitted Demons (STDs).

331

9.4%

 Guilt

Wall posts that evoke feelings of guilt - feelings like why have/did I done/did this. This also includes posts that blame an individual for the negative experience of another.

Young lady, do you believe you are helping yourself by seeking to kill that precious baby through abortion? Would you have been able to commit the sin that led to the undesired pregnancy you are carrying if your mother had terminated you? It’s not a good idea. It is deadly.

373

10.6%

 Neutral

Posts that are conveyed in a manner that is void of guilt, stigma or fear.

If you have sex in the dream, it’s not necessarily implying that you have a spiritual husband or wife. It’s warning you to watch how much attention you give to sex and romantic thoughts.

2718

76.9%

 Stigma

Posts that are shared on the group with the intention of shaming or stigmatizing people who engage in a particular behaviour.

If you are not a virgin on your wedding day, you are not supposed to hold a bouquet because you are no longer a virgin. Holding a flower is a symbol of virginity.

111

3.1%

TYPE

 Text only

Posts that does not include a link or photos or videos

 

2730

77.3%

 Link

Posts that includes only a link but without a photo or video

 

26

0.7%

 Photo or video

Posts that includes a video or a photo

 

777

22.0%

  1. Note: Quotes have been rephrased to anonymize the group, and all the spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors of the original post have been addressed