HIV/Aids affects households directly and indirectly as it has social, psychological, legal, political, ethical and economic impacts. Minimising its effects requires a collaborative approach from a household to national level.

This study aimed to gain in-depth understanding of parents’ experiences of communicating about sex and sexual health behaviours with their adolescent children via phenomenological qualitative research. It revealed that parents possess basic knowledge about HIV transmission modes and prevention strategies, indicating that support and training on how to facilitate effective communication and build confidence is lacking. Religious and cultural norms that regard sex as taboo emerged as a key barrier to parent-child conversations about sexual health as it led to discomfort and embarrassment. The study also found parental discordance regarding parent-child communication about sex education and sexual health within households. These family dynamics are perpetuated by socio-cultural norms that promote gender inequality within households. Female participants overwhelmingly shared experiences of having to take a sole role in educating children about sex and sexual health issues.

The study recommends that public health programmes and policy developers should design culturally sensitive, parent-centred training programmes to be incorporated in HIV/Aids policy to normalise parent-child communication about sex, sexual health and HIV prevention. Digital platforms could be convenient sources of information.