In this study a total of 394 students were included with response rate of 100%. The mean age of respondents’ was 16.71 with standard deviation of 1.44 years. From the study participants, 212 (53.8%) were female. Majority of the respondents were 309 (78.4%) Oromo ethnic group and 178 (45.2%) were Muslims. 286 (72.5%) were living with both parents (Table 1, Table 2).

Three hundred eight (78.2%) of the respondents mentioned that they have got sexual and reproductive health information. Among thistwo hundred eighty six (92.8%) of the respondents heard information on sexual and reproductive health issues from school which is followed by mass media 91 (29.5%) (Figure 1).

Three hundred seventy four (94.9%) of the students had agreed on the importance of discussion on sexual and reproductive health matters with their family. It was also supported by majority of participants who involved in focus group discussion as communication between parent and adolescent on sexual and reproductive health matters since parents needs to play vital role in shaping their children behavior during adolescent age particularly regarding premarital sex and unwanted pregnancy but they have a gap of knowledge regarding sexual health.

This is evident from the response, “We are supposed to tell our adolescents everything that has to do so with reproductive health. But I do not feel that we know all information they need,” (a 38-year-old female discussant).

However, 186(47.2%) of students had ever discussed on at least two sexual and reproductive health topics with their parents. Large number of the study participants 228(57.9%) had reported as they have discussed on condom from which 223(56.6%) of them undertaken the discussion with their friends/peers. Majority of them 89% discussed some times.

The majority of the students discussed on different sexual and reproductive health matters with their peers/friends followed by with sisters. From the total female participants, majority of them has seen their first menses at the age of fourteen years which account for 17.8% followed by fifteen years of age (15.7%). About 20(9.4%) of study participants had discussion before they have seen their first menses. Nearly 65% of them had a discussion with their sisters about menses before they have seen it followed by with peers (45%) (Table 3).

One hundred nine (27.7%) of the students haddiscussed about contraceptive (Table 3). On the other hand 285 (72.3%) did not discuss contraceptive with their parents were shameful and parent’s lack of communication skill 254 (64.5%) and 237 (60.2%) respectively (Table 4). However, these respondents had discussed with their mothers 64 (16.2%) and 61 (15.5%) with friends (Table 3). Majority, 80.7% discussed sometimes. Lack of knowledge regarding sexual and reproductive health matters as well as social norms attached to dealing with such kind of issues were mentioned by majority of focus group discussion participants as a reason for not discussing sexuality with children.

One hundred thirty one (33.2%) of the students haddiscussed about STI/HIV/AIDs. From those had a discussion, 109 (27.7%) and 47 (11.9%) discussed with their peers and sisters respectively (Table 3). Majority, 77.9% discussed sometimes. On the other hand 263 (66.8%) did not discussed with their parents due to shame and parent’s lack of communication skills which account 233 (59.1%) and 227 (57.6%) respectively (Table 4). From qualitative data, nearly half of the focus group discussants mentioned as they do not discuss about STI/HIV/AIDs due to lack of knowledge regarding sexual and reproductive health issues.

One hundred three (26.1%) of the students discussed about sexual intercourse (Table 3). Majority, 72.8% discussed sometimes. On the other hand 291 (73.9%) did not discuss sexual intercourse with their parents were shameful and parent’s lack of communication skills 261 (66.2%) and 252 (64.0%) respectively (Table 4). However, these respondents had discussed with their peers 81 (20.6%) and 42 (10.7%) with sisters (Table 4).

From focus group discussion, a female participant said that, “it less likely to discuss about sexuality in the house and in the community as well which basically related with cultural unacceptability and religious matters”^{a 35 years old female participant}.

One hundred nineteen (30.2%) of the students had discussed about unwanted pregnancy (Table 3). Majority, 75.6 % discussed sometimes. On the other hand 275 (69.8%) did not discuss unwanted pregnancy with their parents were shameful and parent’s lack of communication skill 245 (62.2%) and 222 (56.3%) respectively (Table 4). However, these respondents had discussed with their peers 96 (24.4%) and 62 (15.7%) with sisters (Table 3).

One hundred thirteen (28.7%) of the students had discussed about premarital sex (Table 3). Majority, 61.1% discussed sometimes. On the other hand 281 (71.3%) did not discuss premarital sex with their parents were shameful and parent’s lack of communication skill 250 (63.5%) and 239 (60.7%) respectively (Table 4). However, these respondents had discussed with their peers 91 (23.1%) and 42 (10.7%) with sisters (Table 3).

One 50 years old male parent said “keep their virginity until marriage almost all of the discussants agreed on a virgin girl in our community is respected ” (50 years old male FGD participant).

Two hundred twenty eight (57.9%) of the students had discussed about condom (Table 3). Majority, 89 % discussed sometimes. On the other hand 166 (42.1%) did not discuss with their parents were shameful and culturally unacceptable 136 (34.5%) and 126 (32.0%) respectively (Table 4). However, these respondents had discussed with their peers 223 (56.6%) and 41 (10.4%) with sisters (Table 4).None of parents discussed about condom use.

One mother said that “discussing about condom is opening the way or initiating our children to have sex” (32 years old female FGD participant).

One hundred twelve (28.4%) of the students had discussed about puberty (Table 3). Majority, 67.9 % discussed sometimes. On the other hand 282 (71.6%) did not discuss with their parents were shameful and parent’s lack of communication skill 241 (61.2%) and 223 (56.6%) respectively (Table 4). However, these respondents had discussed with their peers 85 (21.6%) and 60 (15.2%) with sisters (Table 3).

One hundred fifteen (29.2%) of the students had discussed about menstrual cycle (Table 3). Majority, 53% discussed sometimes. On the other hand 97 (24.6%) did not discuss with their parents were shameful and parent’s lack of communication skill 97 (24.6%) and 96(24.4%) respectively (Table 4). However, these respondents had discussed with their peers 74 (18.8%) and 52 (13.2%) with sisters (Table 4).

In this case one female participants of focus group discussion mention “I frequently discuss with my child regarding menses with the purpose of developing her confidence since the issue is naturally occurs on human being” ^{34 years female FGD participants}. But majority of participants did not discussed on menses as a result of discomfort and shame of dealing with children.

With regard to adolescents major reasons for not discussing sexual and reproductive matters with their family, about 261 (66.2%) of students reported as shameful hindered them for discussing about sexual intercourse followed by parent’s lack of communication skill which account for 252 (64.0%). In general, being ashamed, parent’s lack of communication skill and lack of parents’ knowledge about sexual and reproductive health issues were the major reasons mentioned by the students for not discussing about sexual and reproductive health matters with their parents. The reason not discussing RH issues is bound by several socio cultural norms and expectations: “In our culture discussing about sexual issues is very rare. Let alone discussing with your child, wife-husband discussion on this issue is not experienced. Everybody is shy about it. These culture, taboo and traditions are passing from generation to generation. We were brought up like this and are doing it today,” (45-year-old female parent).

Bivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to assess association between each independent variable and outcome variable. Results of bivariate analysis showed that grade level, sex of student, mother occupation, mother education status, father education status, living arrangement and family size become significantly associated with parent adolescent communication.

Multivariate analysis was performed to identify factors independently associated with parent adolescent communication. In the multivariate analysis those variables with a p value <0.25 in the bivariate analysis were included and backward stepwise model was used. In the multivariate analysis, and the Hosmer- Lemeshow test indicates a p > 0.05 which signifies that the overall model fit is good. From 11 variable entered in to the multivariate analysis four of the variable including sex of student being female, being student grade 11, student from father education status diploma and above and students living with relative/friend or living alone were significantly associated with parent adolescent communication after controlling for confounders (Table 5).

Accordingly, students whose father education diploma and above were 3.35 times more likely to have parent adolescent communication than students whose father were illiterate (AOR, 3.35 95% CI (1.73, 6.47)). It was also found that, grade 11th students were 4.88 times more likely discussed on sexual and reproductive health matters with their parent compared with grade 9th students (AOR: 4.88 95%CI: (1.76, 13.54)).

In this study, female study participants were nearly 2 times more likely to discussed about sexual and reproductive health matters with their parents when compared with their counterparts (AOR: 2.02 95%CI: (1.25, 3.26)). Again the odd of parent adolescent communication Study participants whose living arrangement were with relatives were less likely discussed on sexual and reproductive matters when compared with those students living with both parents ((AOR: 0.32 95%CI: (0.12, 0.80)).

However, factors that were statistically significantly in the bivariate analysis like mother education, mother occupation and family size were not showed statistically significant association in the multivariate analysis after controlling for confounders

Parents play an essential role in the betterment of adolescents' lives through communicating various issues particularly sexual and reproductive health matters. They have a unique role in influencing the decisions and behaviors of their adolescent children related to sexual and reproductive health issues based on their willingness to communicate on such topics.

This study has tried to assess level of parent-adolescent communication on sexual and reproductive health issues and factors associated with it. Accordingly, about 186 (47.2%) of the students has discussed on two and more sexual and reproductive topic with their parents.

The result is lower when seen with the finding of the research conducted on barriers of parent-adolescent communication on sexual and reproductive health issues among school students in Yirgalem town which showed 59% parent-adolescent discussion on sexual and reproductive health issues 8. This could be due to socioeconomic and demographic difference among the two study areas.

It is higher when compared with a longitudinal study in Tanzania that showed 27% of parent-adolescent communication about sexual and reproductive health 9 and a study done in Rwanda which revealed, only 19% of the study participants had discussed on sexual and reproductive health matters 10. The result also higher than studies done in Ethiopia in Nekemte town which showed that, about a third of young people (32.4% of females and 32.7% males) engaged in conversation about sexual and reproductive health topics with their parents/parent during the last six months 11 and it is also higher when compared with a study conducted Debremarkos town 7 and Dire Dawa town 12 which showed that 36.9% and 36.8% of students discussed in at least two topics of SRH respectively. The result of this study was also slightly higher when compared to a recent study done in Boditi town Southern Ethiopia where 40.70% of students had discussed at least two topics of RH issues with either of their parents 13. The possible reason for the difference could be time gaps between the studies and the current better expansion of sexual and reproductive health service for adolescents.

With regard to with whom the student had discussed sexual and reproductive health matters, majority of study participants had undertaken the discussion with peers followed by with sisters. It is in line with the study done on barriers of parent-adolescent communication on sexual and reproductive health issues among school students in Yirgalem town which showed that, students more likely preferred to communicate sister and peers 8 and a study conducted in Benishangul Gumz region which indicated, a high proportion of both male (78%) and female (72%) students preferred to discuss sexual and reproductive health issues with peers compared with parents 14. The possible explanation might be peers are the most preferred to discuss on reproductive health issues by students. As to reported reason for not discussing about sexual and reproductive health issues, being ashamed, parent s lack of communication skill and lack of parental knowledge on SRH were the major perceived reasons mentioned by the students.

In multivariate analysis, level of father education showed strong statistical association with communication about sexual and reproductive health. Adolescents whose father s education diploma and above were 3.35 times more likely to have parent adolescent communication than students whose fathers were illiterate. This is congruent with previous finding from study done in Rwanda 10. This is congruent with previous finding in Dire Dawa town, Western Ethiopia, in Alamata, Tigray Region and Yirgalem town 8121415. The possible explanations might be educated fathers have better access to health service information, improved perceptions of SRH issue.

It was also found that, grade level of students to be statistically linked with parent-adolescents communication. Grade 11th students were 4.88 times more likely discussed on sexual and reproductive matters with their parent compared with grade 9th students. This finding was similar with the study done in Western Ethiopia and Debremarkos 711. This could be attributed to maturity which comes when their education level increases. In contrary to evidence from a study done in Mekelle town and in Alamata High school, northern Ethiopia 1516 which showed that students whose grade 11th and 12th were less likely to discuss sexual and reproductive matter when compared to grade nine students. The difference might be in the study area parents give emphasis to discuss sexual and reproductive issues when they are at lower grade level.

Sex of the study participants was found to be statistically associated with parent- adolescent communication on sexual and reproductive health matters. Female study participants were nearly 2 times more likely to discussed about sexual and reproductive health matters with their parents when compared with their counterparts. The result of this study was comparable when compared with the study done in Rwanda where males did not discuss sexual matters compared to the female students 101718. This finding was also in line with the study done in Ethiopia Dire Dawa town where Male were by 40% less likely to discuss on sexual issues with their parent than female 12.

In contrary to this study done Benishangul Gumuz revealed that male were more likely to communicate on parent adolescent communication 12. In addition to this a study conducted on aim to determine young people s parental discussion about SRH issues in Awabel woreda, Northwest Ethiopia where parental discussion SRH issues were significantly associated and higher among young males 19. This difference might be due to differences in the study population, study settings, data collection method and the study design itself both of the above mentioned studies were conducted among rural residents.

In this study, with whom student live was found to be significantly associated with parent-adolescents communication on sexual and reproductive matters. Study participants whose living arrangement were with relatives or friend or students who live alone were less likely discussed on sexual and reproductive matters when compared with those students living with both parents. The finding is in line with a research done on parent-adolescent communication about sexual and reproductive health in Mekele town where students living with both parents were two times to communicate on SRH issue when compared with students living with others 15. This might be due to students who are living with both parents could have a probability of discussion with father or mother.

However, this finding was not supported by a study done in Awabel woreda, Northwest Ethiopia as young people who were living with their fathers were more likely to discuss on SRH topics 19. The difference might be due to the educational status difference between the two communities and study setting as well as the study population difference since this study conducted among young people and at community level.

However, factors that were statistically significantly in another study like age of student, mother education and family size were not showed statistically significant association in the present study. The reason might be there is no difference on parent adolescent communication with respect to age of student, mother education status and family size in the present study area.