“We tell them it is the ‘fire age:’” gender, puberty education and adolescent boyhood in two Ethiopian contexts

IntroductionAs in much of sub-Saharan Africa, adolescent boys constitute a large and increasing share of Ethiopia's population. Masculinity norms, social, and structural factors intertwine to negatively impact boys' and men's health. What, where, and how boys learn about body changes during early adolescence is an important foundation for health over the life course. However, little evidence exists on boys' social and physical transitions in early adolescence.MethodsThis exploratory qualitative