BACKGROUND:Sex education is a vital part of the curriculum and plays an important role in the physical and mental development of children and young adolescents. But children’s and young adolescents’ access to sex-related knowledge is a controversial issue and a source of social tension. PURPOSE:The study examines science textbooks using the conceptual framework of oppression to expose the systemic oppression affecting learners’ ability to access, acquire, and understand knowledge about sexuality. METHODS:We used a qualitative method, based on the content analysis. The content of the textbooks served as the data source and the main assessment instrument was UNESCO’s assessment guideline. RESULTS:Results show that the textbooks were designed and provided by the educational authorities, and the topics and content about sexuality covered by the textbooks were very limited, leading to learners’ oppression by hindering their access to sexual knowledge. CONCLUSIONS:By recognizing the oppression of sexual knowledge, educators can adopt alternative approaches that challenge systemic oppression in the textbooks.

Menstrual education provides opportunities for learners to develop menstrual health literacy skills. However, its inclusion in school curriculum remains limited in developing countries. Therefore, little attention has been paid to the scope of menstrual health in primary school curriculum. This study aims to analyze the status of menstruation topics in the science textbooks to inform the future development of the content of these textbooks regarding menstruation. By employing content analysis on science textbooks that were currently used in primary schools, this study unveils a notable lack of menstrual education in primary schools. The analysis reveals that all four science textbooks of class third to sixth failed to address topics related to menstruation. This study highlights the omission approach used when designing the content of science textbooks reflecting broader sociocultural and political influences in Chad and resulting in a low level of menstrual health literacy skills among learners. The findings underscore the need for menstrual education to promote menstrual health literacy and the need for further research.

Introduction : L’éducation à la sexualité est une partie vitale du curriculum et joue un rôle important dans le développement physique et mental des enfants et des jeunes adolescents. Mais l’accès aux connaissances relatives à la sexualité est un sujet controversé et une tension sociale. But de l’étude : L’étude examine les manuels de Sciences utilisant le cadre conceptuel d’oppression pour dénoncer l’oppression systémique affectant la capacité des apprenants à accéder, acquérir et comprendre la connaissance sur la sexualité. Méthodes : Nous avons utilisé la méthode qualitative, basée sur l’analyse de contenu. La source des données était le contenu du manuel et l’instrument principal d’évaluation était le guide d’évaluation de l’UNESCO. Résultats : Les résultats montrent que les autorités éducatives étaient les concepteurs et les pourvoyeurs des manuels et les sujets et le contenu sur la sexualité couverts par les manuels étaient très limités, pérennisant l’oppression des apprenants, entravant leur accessibilité, acquisition et compréhension de connaissance sur la sexualité. Conclusions : En reconnaissant l’oppression de la connaissance sur la sexualité, les éducateurs peuvent adopter des approches alternatives qui contestent l’oppression systémique dans les manuels.

Sexual abstinence represents a reproductive health-promoting behavior and a better strategy to prevent the risks of early sexual initiation and negative sexual and reproductive consequences among adolescents and young adults (AYAs). However, little is known about factors associated with abstinent behavior in Chad and Cameroon. Therefore, this study investigates the predictors of sexual abstinence behavior among high school AYAs in Chad and Cameroon, using the integrated theoretical framework of adolescent’s sexual abstinence. A total of 1,158 students from high schools aged between 15 and 24 years, selected using the time-location sampling technique in Chad and Cameroon were involved in the study. A self-administered questionnaire composite of Perceived Norms for Delaying Sex Scale, Self-efficacy in Sexual Abstinence Scale, sexual communication, sexual citizenship awareness, parental control and quality of relationship, sexual behavior, and some sociodemographic characteristics was administered. Data analyses were done with statistical software SPSS, v.20 using frequencies, means, and Multinominal logistic regression. Model 1 and 3 were statistically significant in explaining, respectively, primary sexual abstinence and intention to abstain from sex in both countries (p < 0.001), but Model 2 was only statistically significant in explaining secondary sexual abstinence in Chad (p < 0.001). Significant predictors were self-efficacy in sexual abstinence, sexual communication with friends, parental control, quality of relationship with parents, gender, age, educational level, religion and religiosity, father and mother’s level of education, relationship status, exposure to pornography, and sexual citizenship awareness. Educational interventions in promoting primary and secondary abstinence among Chadian and Cameroonian AYAs need to consider these factors.

Sexual abstinence has been recognized as one of the strategies to prevent unwanted pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV/AIDS among adolescents and young adults in the Sub-Saharan Africa. However, factors associated with youth decisions to abstain are understudied. This study aimed to examine how demographic factors, menstrual (health) literacy, contraception literacy, sociocultural factors are associated with sexual abstinence among Chadian and Cameroonian adolescents and young adults (AYAs). We used data from the Chadian and Cameroonian Demographic and Health Surveys. The study included 10,644 single AYAs aged 15–24. We used logistic regression to identify factors associated with sexual abstinence. The models explained 37

Background: Sexual abstinence represents a reproductive health-promoting behavior for young people and a better strategy to prevent them from the risks of early sexual initiation and negative sexual consequences. Little is known about factors associated with abstinent behavior in Chad and Cameroon. Therefore, this study examines the influence of sexual abstinence beliefs, sexual self-control, and attitudes towards sexual abstinence on sexual abstinence behaviors among school-going Chadian and Cameroonian adolescents and young adults. Methods: A total of 1,158 students from high schools aged between 15-24 years, selected using time-location sampling technique in Chad and Cameroon were involved in the study. A self-administered questionnaire composite of Beliefs in Abstinence until Marriage Scale, Attitude Scale about Sexual Abstinence, Sexual Self-Control Scale, sexual behavior, and demographic characteristics was administered. Data analyses were done with statistical software SPSS, v.20 using frequencies, means, and Generalized Linear Models. Results: Models are statistically good in explaining primary sexual abstinence, secondary sexual abstinence and intention to abstain from sex in Chad and Cameroon (p<0.05). Controlling for some sociodemographic characteristics, sexual abstinence beliefs, sexual self-control, and attitudes towards sexual abstinence were better predictors of abstinent behavior, especially primary abstinent behavior (p<0.05). Conclusion: Educational programs aiming at delaying sexual intercourse and promoting sexual abstinence should include sexual abstinence beliefs, sexual self-control, attitudes towards sexual abstinence, and pornography literacy. Keywords: Sexual Abstinence Beliefs, Sexual Self-Control, Attitudes, Young People, Sexual Abstinence, Chad, Cameroon.

INTRODUCTION:Sexual abstinence is considered as a reproductive health-promoting behavior in adolescents and young adults to prevent negative sexual outcomes, such as sexually transmitted infections, and unintended pregnancies. AIMS:To review the prevalence and factors related to sexual abstinence in adolescents and young adults aged between 10 and 24 years. METHODS:Studies were retrieved from Google Scholar, ResearchGate, PubMed, and Journal of Storage (JSTOR). The selection criteria were original population-based studies, published in the English or French language, on either sexual abstinence (primary and/or secondary abstinence) or intention to abstain, and in adolescents and/or young adults. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:This study reviewed the literature on the prevalence of, motivations for and factors associated with abstinent behavior in adolescents and young adults. RESULTS:1989 studies were retrieved, from which data were extracted for 55 studies. The overall prevalence ranged from 1.6% to 100%. The prevalence of primary sexual abstinence ranged from 22.1% to 100%; secondary sexual abstinence from 1.6% to 68.1%; and sexual abstinence intention from 50% to 73.8%. The significant factors reported were age, gender, educational level, socioeconomic status, religion, relationship status, sex education, HIV knowledge, not using alcohol, positive attitudes towards sexual abstinence, perceived risk of sexual intercourse, positive peer influence, social norms related to sexual abstinence, aspirations for the future, higher self-efficacy in sexual abstinence, and sexual communication. In addition, the review revealed various motives, such as religious beliefs, perceived physical and psychological consequences of sexual activities, perceived social benefits of sexual abstinence, and aspirations for a better life were related to young people's abstinent behavior. Although the variations in findings from different studies can be explained by differences in regions, cultures, and research design and methods. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS:The studies on sexual abstinence in the future should use a consistent and standard definition, cover the multidimensionality of sexual behavior, and examine all related factors and motivations. STRENGTHS & LIMITATIONS:The restricted timeframe (1998-2023), English/French language, availability of full text, and measurement of abstinent behavior may be the sources of bias. CONCLUSION:The prevalence of sexually abstinent adolescents and young adults varies greatly across studies and was associated with a range of factors and motivations/barriers. Although factors and motivations/barriers were identified, further investigation is needed on the secondary sexual abstinence and the multidimensionality of sexual abstinence rather than simple abstinence from penile-vaginal intercourse.

Teachers play a significant role in the effective implementation of sexuality education programmes in schools. The purpose of the study was to examine the relationship between teachers' attitudes, self-efficacy, and teaching practices in sexuality education in public primary schools. A survey using self-administered questionnaires was conducted. Data collected from 77 teachers were analysed using simple and multiple linear regression tests. The analyses revealed that teachers' attitudes toward sexuality education and self-efficacy to teach this education significantly predicted their teaching practices in sexuality education. The results also revealed that the interaction between teachers' attitudes and self-efficacy significantly predicted their way of delivering this type of education in the classroom. The study concluded by suggesting the need for comprehensive professional development to enhance teachers' skills.

Résumé : Contexte : Il est connu que les maladies non transmissibles s’originent dans les habitudes et les choix alimentaires, et la littératie en santé est le meilleur déterminant de la santé d’un individu au 21e siècle. Or, cet aspect reste peu exploré en contexte camerounais. Dès lors, cette étude examine la relation entre la littératie en santé, la littératie alimentaire, la littératie alimentaire numérique et le comportement alimentaire des étudiants de l’Université de Yaoundé I. Méthodes : Un total de 240 étudiants âgés de 18 à 48 ans ( M = 21,97 ans, ET = 7,03), dont 149 (62,1 %) femmes, sélectionnés par commodité, ont rempli un questionnaire composite comprenant des échelles de mesure de la littératie en santé (Health Literacy Survey European Union Questionnaire Short Form), de la littératie alimentaire (Short Food Literacy Questionnaire), de la littératie alimentaire numérique (eHealth Literacy Scale) et du comportement alimentaire (General Dietary Behavior Inventory). Les données ont été analysées grâce au logiciel SPSS, v.20, en utilisant des tests de Mann-Whitney, de Kruskal-Wallis, de Spearman et des modèles linéaires généralisés. Résultats : Les résultats ont montré que le comportement alimentaire n’est pas associé aux caractéristiques sociodémographiques des étudiants. L’analyse des modèles linéaires généralisés a démontré que le comportement alimentaire des étudiants est influencé par la littératie alimentaire (β = 1,503, p < 0,001), la littératie en santé (β = 1,191, p < 0,05) et la littératie alimentaire numérique (β = 1,263, p < 0,001). De même, prises ensemble, elles entrainent une variation de 6,929 sur le comportement alimentaire (χ²(3) = 63,070, β = 6,929, p < 0,001). Conclusion : L’étude suggère que plus de recherches sur d’autres sous-groupes de population sont nécessaires afin de fournir des données pour des interventions en faveur d’une alimentation saine.

Context: Graduate employability remains a global interest in this 21st century as workplace demands and economic sustainability are growing, changing, and driving new competencies and needs as well as the need for an innovative, flexible, and motivated workplace. The quality of university graduates is not only crucial to individual productivity but also to national productivity, economic growth, and development. This quality could be enhanced by effective collaboration between institutions of the university and the industry. Therefore, this study examines the influence of the quality of partnerships between university institutions and industries on the employability of graduates from technical and professional schools of the University of Ngaoundere. Methods: A cross-sectional study using an online questionnaire was conducted amongst graduates from the University of Ngaoundere recruited through snowball and purposive sampling. The data were analyzed by SPSS Software, Version 20, using descriptive statistics and simple linear regression. Results: Findings revealed that the quality of the partnership between university institutions and industries strongly and significantly influences graduates’ employability (R2 =0.505, β=0.711, p<0.001). Conclusion: Therefore, the study recommends that effective educational policy and strategy should be adopted to improve graduates’ employability by focusing on improving collaboration and cooperation between university institutions and industries.

Les outils d’évaluation des comportements de promotion de la santé abondent en anglais alors qu’ils sont rares, voire quasi-inexistants en français. Cet article vise à valider un questionnaire composite d’identification des comportements pro-santé ou à risque. Les dix étapes de l’adaptation des tests/échelles de mesure psychologique de Gana et al. (2021) ont été appliquées aux données collectées auprès de 343 adolescents et jeunes adultes de 15-25 ans (moyenne = 17,6 ± 1,76) ayant rempli un questionnaire de 51 items issus de trois échelles préexistantes. Les analyses factorielles exploratoires et confirmatoires supportent la structure à huit dimensions avec 27 items expliquant 56,69 % des variances : santé spirituelle, relation interpersonnelle, exercice physique, gestion du stress, appréciation de la vie, hygiène du sommeil, responsabilité en santé et soutien social. Le questionnaire composite d’évaluation des comportements de promotion de santé (AHPB-27) est donc valide pour identifier des comportements de promotion de la santé des adolescents et des jeunes adultes en francophonie.

Contexte : Il est connu que les maladies non transmissibles s'originent dans les habitudes et les choix alimentaires, et la litteratie en sante est le meilleur determinant de la sante d'un individu au 21e siecle. Or, cet aspect reste peu explore en contexte camerounais. Des lors, cette etude examine la relation entre la litteratie en sante, la litteratie alimentaire, la litteratie alimentaire numerique et le comportement alimentaire des etudiants de l'Universite de Yaounde I. Methodes : Un total de 240 etudiants ages de 18 a 48 ans (M = 21,97 ans, ET = 7,03), dont 149 (62,1 %) femmes, selectionnes par commodite, ont rempli un questionnaire composite comprenant des echelles de mesure de la litteratie en sante (Health Literacy Survey European Union Questionnaire Short Form), de la litteratie alimentaire (Short Food Literacy Questionnaire), de la litteratie alimentaire numerique (eHealth Literacy Scale) et du comportement alimentaire (General Dietary Behavior Inventory). Les donnees ont ete analysees grace au logiciel SPSS, v.20, en utilisant des tests de Mann-Whitney, de Kruskal-Wallis, de Spearman et des modeles lineaires generalises. Resultats : Les resultats ont montre que le comportement alimentaire n'est pas associe aux caracteristiques sociodemographiques des etudiants. L'analyse des modeles lineaires generalises a demontre que le comportement alimentaire des etudiants est influence par la litteratie alimentaire (beta = 1,503, p < 0,001), la litteratie en sante (beta = 1,191, p < 0,05) et la litteratie alimentaire numerique (beta = 1,263, p < 0,001). De meme, prises ensemble, elles entrainent une variation de 6,929 sur le comportement alimentaire (chi(2)(3) = 63,070, beta = 6,929, p < 0,001). Conclusion : L'etude suggere que plus de recherches sur d'autres sous-groupes de population sont necessaires afin de fournir des donnees pour des interventions en faveur d'une alimentation saine.

Introduction. Health promoting behaviour tools abound in English, while they are scarce or almost non-existent in French. This article aimed to validate a composite questionnaire to identify health promoting or risky behaviours. Method. The ten steps of adapting psychological tests/scales provide by Gana et al. (2021) were applied to data collected from 343 adolescents and young adults aged 15-25 (mean = 17.6 ± 1.76) who completed a questionnaire of 51 items derive from three pre-existing scales. Results. Exploratory and confirmatory analyses support the eight dimensions structure with 27 items explaining 56.69% of variances: spiritual health; interpersonal relationship; physical exercise; stress management; appreciation of life; sleep hygiene; responsibility in health; and social support. Conclusion. The Composite Health Promotion Behaviour Assessment Questionnaire (AHPB-27) is valid for identifying health promoting behaviours among adolescents and young adults in the francophonie

Background. We assessed and compared the evolution of tobacco and e-cigarette experimentation and use among French adolescents aged 15-16 years.Methods. A descriptive, cross-sectional, observational study conducted in 2018-2020 among 7,883 Year 11 pupils attending 27 public secondary schools of the Loire department, France. Results. From 2018 to 2020, 66.18% of adolescents were “non-vapers and non-smokers”, 19.76% were “vapers and smokers”, 7.90% were “non-vapers and smokers” and 6.15% were “vapers and non-smokers”. E-cigarette experimentation was more prevalent than tobacco experimentation (44.92% vs 41.67%), and daily vaping was less prevalent than daily smoking (5.40% vs 10.24%). More boys than girls were daily vapers or daily smokers. A decrease was observed in tobacco experimentation (from 41.22% in 2018 to 39.73% in 2020) and e-cigarette experimentation (from 50.28% in 2018 to 41.25% in 2020). Current vaping remained stable, with an increase in daily vaping. French adolescent vapers frequently use e-liquids with little or no nicotine or with fruit or sweet flavours.Conclusions. Adolescents used e-cigarettes mainly for experimental and/or recreational purposes. The proportion of “non-vapers and non-smokers” tended to increase. “Non-vapers and smokers” tended to progress to the dual use of vaping and smoked tobacco products, with the likely intention to reduce or quit smoking.

INTRODUCTION We describe the vaping and smoking habits of French adolescents aged 15-16 years in the Loire department with a view to assess the impact of e-cigarette experimentation and use on their smoking behavior.METHODS This quantitative, cross-sectional, single-center and observational study conducted from January to July 2019 targeted 6622 students aged 15-16 years attending public high school in the Loire department, France.RESULTS A total of 4937 (74.6%) adolescents were included. Of these, 73.2% were non-vapers and 72.2% non-smokers; 66.0% of adolescents were non-vapers and non-smokers. Slightly less than half of adolescents had experimented with e-cigarettes (44.6%), more than half of whom (26.8%) continued to use vaping products, with 6.02% vaping daily. Likewise, a little less than half of adolescents had experimented with smoked tobacco (42.4%), more than half of whom (27.8%) continued to use smoking products, with 10.3% smoking daily. Vapers and smokers (20.6%) tended to begin with the use of smoked tobacco and to progress to the dual use of vaping and smoked tobacco products. Vaping had a positive effect, as 71.8% of vapers who smoked tobacco before initiating vaping stopped or reduced smoking following their progression to this double use. More than half of tobacco users are daily users while this daily use affects only 1/3 boys and 1/6 girls for vape. Finally, nearly 80.7% of adolescents who had never smoked before vaping did not smoke at the time of the study.CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest that vaping has a rather marginal impact on smoking initiation among French adolescents aged 15-16 years in the Loire department. They therefore neither confirm nor completely disprove the gateway effect theory, relating to use of tobacco subsequent to vaping.

Promoting sexual health among learners through sexuality education is an effective strategy. There is still an ongoing debate around the content of sexuality education. Thus, this study investigates how content units of sexuality education, as defined in ….

Introduction : Les études longitudinales permettent d’étudier l’évolution d’une classe d’individus dans le temps. Elles sont pourtant rarement utilisées en France pour observer sur plusieurs années la même population de jeunes adolescents suivant leur niveau de classes scolaires. But de l’étude : Basé sur un suivi longitudinal à partir d’études annuelles transversales répétées sur une population de jeunes adolescents (de 15 à 18 ans) issus d’un même lycée (Honoré d’Urfé, Saint-Étienne, 42), impliquant 336 élèves de seconde en 2018 (15-16 ans), 360 de première en 2019 (16-17 ans) et 273 de terminale en 2020 (17-18 ans), nous avons conduit une enquête durant trois années sur leurs comportements tabagique et de vapotage. Résultats : La prévalence d’expérimentation du tabac augmente quasi linéairement d’une classe scolaire à l’autre : de 39,10 % en classe de seconde, elle est passée à 47,50 % en première et à 53,11 % en terminale, alors que la prévalence des « non-fumeurs » baisse d’environ 4,5 % entre les classes de seconde et de terminale. La prévalence d’expérimentation de vapotage est stable dans les trois niveaux de classes scolaires : 46,38 % en seconde, 49,44 % en première et 47,62 % en terminale, alors qu’une augmentation d’environ 5 % des vapoteurs quotidiens est observée entre les classes de seconde et de première. Conclusions : La proportion d’expérimentateurs du tabac tend à croître suivant le niveau de classes scolaires, et donc avec l’âge, pour rattraper celle des expérimentateurs du vapotage qui se stabilise à cette période de l’adolescence. Les initiations à ces deux produits ont plutôt un caractère récréatif, ludique et expérimental et relèveraient peu d’une réelle démarche de développement de leur usage quotidien ou propension à addiction.

Introduction: Longitudinal studies make it possible to study the evolution of a class of individuals over time. However, they are rarely used in France to observe the same population of young adolescents according to their grade level over the course of several years. Purpose of research: Based on the longitudinal monitoring of repeated annual cross-sectional studies on young adolescents (from 15 to 18 years old) conducted at the Honore d'Urfe public high school (Saint-Etienne, Loire, France) involving 336 10th grade pupils in 2018, 360 11th grade pupils in 2019 and 273 12th grade pupils in 2020, we observed and studied students' smoking and vaping behavior over a period of three years. Results: Between the ages of 15 and 18 years, the prevalence of tobacco experimentation increased almost linearly ( 39.10%, 47.50%, and 53.11%), while the prevalence of `non-smoking' decreased by 4.5%. In addition, the prevalence of e-cigarette experimentation was stable (46.38%, 49.44%, 47.62%), whereas the prevalence of daily vaping increased by 5.0%. Conclusions: The prevalence of tobacco experimentation tends to increase with age and to catch up with that of e-cigarette experimentation, which remains stable at this stage of adolescence. Introductions to these two products seem to be rather recreational, playful, and experimental in nature, and do not have a significant connection with the development of their daily use or propensity to addiction.

Background: Health literacy (HL) is the ability of an individual to obtain and translate knowledge and information in order to maintain and improve health in a way which is appropriate to that individual and system contexts. It has become a priority for health in the 21st century, and many countries have included HL as a key priority in their policies and practices. However, in many African countries, such as Cameroon, information about the status of HL among population remains scarce. Objective: This study sought to describe the HL level of the Cameroonian population and its determinants. Methods: A cross-sectional national survey using the European Health Literacy Survey Questionnaire short forms (HLS-EU-Q16) was conducted. Both English and French version of HLSEU16 were used due to the fact that the country is bilingual. 1,226 persons (50.5% females, ages 15-96 years, mean age 27.99 years, standard deviation 9.73) completed an online (47%) and paper (53%) questionnaire. Results: At least one quarter (1/4) of respondents (24.6%) showed insufficient HL and 74.3%, almost three quarter (3/4) had limited (insufficient and problematic) HL. Sufficient HL was predominant in all subcategories of the population. Subgroups within the population with low HL were those with more than two chronic diseases (F(3; 1,222) = 4.673, p = .003) and those living in rural areas (F(2; 1,223) = 21.870, p < .001). Participants with high HL evaluated their health as very good (F(3; 1,222) = 24.586, p< .001) and were satisfied with their life (F(3; 1,222) = 15.317, p< .001). Discussion and conclusion: Limited HL represents an important challenge for health policies and practices across Cameroon like in many European countries. The influence of socio-cultural aspect in HL must be taken into account when developing HL tools to ensure quality measurement and to improve health equity around the world.