Background: Adolescents in developing countries have limited knowledge
about the prevention of STIs and unwanted pregnancies. In several African
countries, risky sexual behaviour persists, including early sexual debut, multiple
sexual partners, economic and sexual exchange, and low condom and contraceptive
use. The purpose of this study is to assess the sexual and reproductive
health knowledge and behaviour of adolescents in rural Burkina Faso in
order to improve their sexual and reproductive health. Method: This was a
descriptive cross-sectional study with prospective data collection conducted
from 07 March to 04 April 2022 in the area of the Demographic and Health
Surveillance System of the Nouna Research Centre. A questionnaire was administered
to a randomly selected sample of 1202 adolescents. Results: The
mean age of the adolescents was 14.1 years and 56.6% were male. Only 58.2%
of the adolescents had ever heard of HIV/AIDS. Of these, 95.7% did not know
their HIV status. In addition, 15.8% had ever had sexual intercourse and 2.4%
had been sexually active at an early age. Almost 45% had not used any contraceptive
method the last time they had sex. Condoms were the most frequently
used contraceptive method (47.4%). Among teenagers, 27.6% had been pregnant
at least once, 7.3% were married and the average age at marriage was
18.45 years. Almost 7% (6.9%) of teenagers had more than one sexual partner.
Conclusion: Adolescents have limited knowledge about reproductive health.
Risky sexual behaviour persists. Awareness campaigns need to be intensified
to improve their sexual and reproductive health.

Knowledge, Behaviour, Reproductive Health, Adolescents, Nouna, Burkina Faso