Health, 2016, 8, 518-530 Published Online April 2016 in SciRes. http://www.scirp.org/journal/health http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/health.2016.86055 How to cite this paper: Seif, S.A., Kohi, T.W. and Mselle, L.T. (2016) Caretaker’s Perceptions on Caretaker-Adolescent Communication on Sexual and Reproductive Health in Unguja-Zanzibar: Implication for Intervention. Health, 8, 518-530. http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/health.2016.86055 Caretaker’s Perceptions on Caretaker-Adolescent Communication on Sexual and Reproductive Health in Unguja-Zanzibar: Implication for Intervention Saada A. Seif 1 , Thecla W. Kohi 1 , Lilian T. Mselle 2 1 Department of Nursing Management, School of Nursing, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania 2 Department of Clinical Nursing, School of Nursing, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania Received 5 March 2016; accepted 10 April 2016; published 13 April 2016 Copyright © 2016 by authors and Scientific Research Publishing Inc. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution International License (CC BY). http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Abstract Caretaker-adolescent communication is an appealing source for influencing adolescents’ know- ledge, attitudes and behavior, because caretakers are an accessible and often willing source of in- formation for their children. With the realization of the importance of caretakers in influencing adolescent behaviours, it becomes interesting to explore their perceptions about caretaker-ado- lescent communication on Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH). An exploratory qualitative re- search design was conducted in all six districts of Unguja-Zanzibar. Twelve focus group discus- sions (FGDs) with caretakers who were purposively selected were conducted. Thematic analysis guided the interpretation of the data. The main themes that were identified are perceived the risk of adolescents; style, time and content of communication; barriers to parent-child communication on SRH; and helping our children pass through adolescence safely. The findings show that partici- pants have acknowledged the apparent risky sexual behaviors of their adolescents, and that in- formation on SRH should be offered to children before they reach puberty. Participants had the opinion that communication on SRH should be in the form of warning, threat and unidirectional. Topics such as teenage pregnancy, STIs and HIV, and drug and alcohol were proposed to be openly discussed. However, topics on condom and contraceptives use faced strong opposition. Lack of fa- vorable time, caretakers’ limited knowledge and skills, myth on SRH communication, and being uncomfortable were among the caretaker-adolescent communication barriers identified by care-