This was a cross-sectional descriptive study.
The study was carried out in two districts of Uganda, one urban, (Kampala) district and the other rural, (Mpigi) district. Rubaga division, located 3 km Southwest of the city centre and Kabulasoke sub-county located 120 km off Kampala-Masaka road, were selected for the study from Kampala and Mpigi districts respectively.
Respondents in the study comprised of girls aged 12-18 years and their mothers. Respondents were contacted through Women and Youth organizations, Local Councils and schools.
The World Health Organization (WHO) 30 cluster 7 quota sampling method was used to select households of the respondents. The unit of enumeration was the household, from which respondents, a mother and adolescent daughter (12-18 years) were selected for the interview. In all, 210 households were sampled equally from both study locations giving a total of 210 mothers and 210 daughters.
In the field, the 15 clusters from each of the study locations were selected as follows: using a population and Housing Census (1991) list, the number of LC1 (Local Council area) were listed for both Rubaga division (Kampala district) and Kabulasoke sub-county (Mpigi district); each LC1 area consists of 15-25 households. There were 99 LC1's in Kabulasoke sub-county and 313 LC1's in Rubaga division. In determining the sampling interval, the following formula was used:
Total Number of LC1
---------------------- = Sample Interval
15 Clusters
For Kabulasoke this was:
99
------------ = 6
15
For Rubaga this was:
313
---------- = 20
15
A random number was chosen from the table of random numbers. The first cluster for Kabulasoke was Kibanga, which corresponded to the first random number. For Rubaga, the first cluster was Bulange A Part B, which corresponded to the first random number.
The identification of the other 14 clusters in each of the study areas were determined using the following formula:
Cluster 1 + Sampling Interval = Cluster 2
Cluster 2 + Sampling Interval = Cluster 3
All the 30 clusters from both study areas were selected using the above formula.
The following clusters were accordingly selected for Kabulasoke sub-county: Kibanga, Kigo `B', Bukandula `B', Mabuye, Nakulamudde'A', Nakulamudde `B', Mawuki East, Katete, Ntonwa, Namulaba, Kabulasoke `A', Kabulasoke `B', Kangumba, Kampaama and Kissamula West.
From Rubaga, the following were selected: Bulange A Part B, Mbuubi A, Lungujja Zone VIII B Kunsa, Mulira C, Bakuli Village C, Kisingiri B, Mengo Town B, Church Zone B, Central D Zone Part B, Central B Zone Part A, Central C Zone Part B, Wakaliga Zone Part A, Mawuya Zone Part B, Kabusu Zone B and Pope Paul Zone.
Quantitative and qualitative research methods were used to collect data required for the study.
Two methods of data collection and extraction were employed, one following the other.
2.6.1 Questionnaire
A pre-tested questionnaire developed in the English language and translated in a local vernacular was used to interview the respondents. It was pre-coded with both closed and open-ended questions combined that answered pertinent questions regarding communication between mothers and daughters, about the subject of sexuality and HIV/AIDS, the content, context, occasion, frequency, barriers to effective communication and other sources of information about sexuality within the family and outside the family. The questionnaire also sought to answer questions about the role played by this communication to the knowledge of girls regarding sexuality and HIV/AIDS and in what ways this could be improved. The trained research assistants conducted the interviews and the researcher herself provided constant supervision. The mothers and daughters were each interviewed separately.
2.6.2 Focus Group Discussions
Six focus group discussions were conducted in all, two for mothers and four for daughters. Daughters were separated into ages 12-15 and 16-18 years in each of the districts. One focus group discussion was for rural mothers and one for urban dwelling mothers. Each focus group consisted of 7 to 8 respondents randomly selected from among those who participated in the questionnaire interview and lasted for approximately one and a half hours. The researcher, with assistance of a trained research assistant, facilitated focus group discussions. Focus group interviews were employed to sharpen ideas not received using the questionnaire interview and were used to promote understanding of the participants' perspective. They were employed to answer questions on how, when and in particular what mothers communicate to their daughters on the subject of sexuality and HIV/AIDS. They were characterized by extensive probing and open-ended questions that focused on participant's knowledge, feelings and experiences.
Data entry and analysis was done at the Centre for Peace Research under the supervision of a data manager. Quantitative data was entered and analysed using the Epi-Info version 6 statistical computer package. Analysis followed standard statistical guidelines using descriptive statistics. Means and their standard deviations were used for continuous variables. Frequencies and proportions were used to study the distribution of categorical variables. Contingency tables and their chi-square tests were used to test the significant association between categorical variables, whereas for continuous variables, the student t-test was used to test for significant differences.
Graphical displays like bar charts, histograms and pie charts were also used to illustrate distributions. Content analysis of qualitative data was done on selected full text responses to open ended questions and data from focus group discussions.
2.8.1 Training of Interviewers
Five research assistants, all Social science graduates from Makerere University, were recruited and trained to collect data from the two study areas. They were trained in interviewing techniques and recording of responses and participatory research methods (focus group discussions). Training was in the form of a workshop and was facilitated by the researcher herself. During the training session, the questionnaire was explained and later pre-tested.
2.8.2 Pre-testing the Questionnaire
Ten mothers with their daughters were selected from each of the two study areas, making a total of forty respondents. These were mothers with daughters not included in the final study. The questionnaire was then pre-tested. After pre-testing and revising the questionnaire, copies of the final draft of the questionnaire were produced and made ready for data collection. The topic guide for the Focus Group Discussions was also revised and made available.
2.8.3 Data Cleaning
Data cleaning was done at the end of each working day and this involved cross checking all the completed questionnaires to make sure that all the questions were answered properly and clearly recorded. During data entry, an in-built check program within Epi Info version 6 was used to customize data entry and for automatic skip patterns.
2.8.4 Coding
A standard coding book was developed and later revised after administering the questionnaires. On the night or day after the interview, all questionnaires were verified. Another research assistant coded them and then the researcher coded them the second time while preparing data entry formats.
A jury selected by the Organization for Social Sciences Research for Eastern and Southern Africa (OSSREA), approved the research proposal. At the local level, permission to conduct the research was sought from the Local Council Executive, whereas, at the national level, approval was sought from the Uganda National Council of Science and Technology.
The purpose of the study was carefully explained to the respondents before the interviews. The respondents' identity was not required and it was clearly emphasized that the information collected from them would be treated with maximum confidentiality. Respondents were informed that they were free to answer or not, those questions that they felt were potentially embarrassing. The facilitator further explained the purpose of the study to the respondents during focus group discussions and thanked them for having accepted to participate upon invitation.
The information was collected exclusively from mothers and their daughters who were willing to be interviewed.
