scholarly journals Assessment of sexual and reproductive health knowledge and awareness among single unmarried women living in Lebanon: a cross-sectional study

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maya Hamdanieh ◽  
Louna Ftouni ◽  
Bara’a Al Jardali ◽  
Racha Ftouni ◽  
Chaymaa Rawas ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Sexual and reproductive health (SRH), a globally recognized fundamental health concern and a basic human right is poorly addressed and seldom researched in the Arab world. Disregarding this aspect of health creates various obstacles to accessing SRH related services and education. This threatens the health of a female, namely through increasing the probability of unplanned pregnancies and unsafe abortions, augmenting the risk of acquiring sexually transmitted infections, and most importantly, increasing the hazard of maternal and neonatal death. Thus, this study aimed to assess the level of SRH related knowledge and awareness among single unmarried women living in Lebanon. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional study design was conducted using a self-administered questionnaire in both English and Arabic languages. The questionnaire included 9 sections; socio-demographic characteristics section, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) section, premarital tests section, vaccines section, menstruation and its abnormalities section, pregnancy symptoms and identification section, methods of contraception section, vitamins section, and honeymoon events section. The questionnaire was distributed among all Lebanese governorates to 491 single unmarried women living in Lebanon aged between 17 and 55 years. Student t-test and Chi-Square test were used to analyze results. Results It was found that only 8.8% of all the participants had adequate knowledge. The highest level of SRH related knowledge was about pregnancy (88.0%), and the least was about contraception (13.5%). Most of the knowledgeable participants lived in Beirut governorate (13.6%, n = 8) and had reached universities (10.3%, n = 41), but this was not statistically significant (p-value > 0.05). The effect of a prior visit to a gynecologist was statistically non-significant on the overall level of knowledge (p-value = 0.269). Conclusion Due to the inadequate level of knowledge, SRH education campaigns empowered by the Ministry of Public Health in collaboration with primary care physicians and gynecologists, are recommended in both the societal and academic sectors to enhance the awareness level and make SRH knowledge readily available among unmarried women aged between 17 and 55. Knowing the massive role of social media nowadays, the messages they present should contribute to enhancing the level of SRH knowledge and redirect attitudes and behaviors of unmarried females in Lebanon.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon Binezero Mambo ◽  
Franck K. Sikakulya ◽  
Robinson Ssebuufu ◽  
Yusuf Mulumba ◽  
Henry Wasswa ◽  
...  

Abstract BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic threatens access to sexual and reproductive health services. With global health emergencies, there is often a total reversal of priorities and access to sexual and reproductive health services may become challenging. The aim of this study was to establish the problems related to sexual and reproductive health among Ugandan youths during the COVID-19 lockdown. MethodsThis was an online cross-sectional study carried out from April 2020 to May 2020 in Uganda. An online questionnaire was used and participants aged 18years to 30 years recruited using the snowballing approach. The statistical analysis was done using STATA version 14.2.Results Out of 724 participants, 203 (28%) reported not having information and/or education concerning sexual and reproductive health (SRH). About a quarter of the participants (26.9%, n=195) reported not having testing and treatment services of sexually transmitted infections available during the lockdown. Lack of transport means was the commonest (68.7%) limiting factor to access to SRH services during the lockdown followed by the long distance from home to SRH facility (55.2%), high cost of services (42.2%) and curfew (39.1%). Sexually transmitted infections were the commonest (40.4%) problem related to SRH during the lockdown followed by unwanted pregnancy (32.4%) and sexual abuse (32.4%). The multivariate regression analysis shows that problems were more prevalent among the co-habiting youth [APR: 2.3 (1.6 - 3.29), p<0.001] followed by unemployed (volunteer or unpaid) [APR: 1.6 (1.03 - 2.64), p: 0.037] than in other participants. ConclusionsThe findings of this study show that Ugandan youths have accessing SRH information and services during the COVID-19 lockdown. Cohabiting and unemployed participants were the most affected. Lack of transport means and high cost of services were the major limiting factors to access SRH services among the youths. The findings call for concerted efforts from the Uganda government and international non-governmental organisations to ensure access and availability of SRH services for Ugandan youths during the COVID-19 lockdown.


2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Komal Chacowry Pala ◽  
Stéphanie Baggio ◽  
Nguyen Toan Tran ◽  
François Girardin ◽  
Hans Wolff ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Deepak Anand ◽  
Khurshid Parveen ◽  
Gyan Prakash

Background: Providing information about changes during adolescence and sexually transmitted diseases is an important means of promoting healthy development and reducing negative outcomes of social behaviors in adolescents. For this purpose we must know their level of knowledge. So this study was designed to assess the knowledge of male students of class VIth to IXth about issues related to adolescence, their attitude for sexuality related problem and their source of information.Methods: It is a cross-sectional study, sample size was 400. Data was collected between August 2017 and December 2017 by using structured questionnaire.Results: Regarding physical changes 4.5% students have no knowledge, 58.75% have some knowledge and 36.75% have satisfactory knowledge. Whereas 9.75% have no knowledge, 80.75% have some knowledge and 9.50% have satisfactory knowledge regarding sexually transmitted diseases. Only 24.75% students knew legal age for marriage.Conclusions: It was found in study that majority of students do not have satisfactory knowledge and there is a need for targeted education for providing proper knowledge.


2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 58
Author(s):  
Ivett Adriana Herrera-Zuleta ◽  
Jonathan Fernando Reyes-Salazar ◽  
Katherine Patricia Rojas-Velasco ◽  
Magda Lizeth Tipán ◽  
Carlos Andrés Torres-López ◽  
...  

Objetivo: Describir el conocimiento y las prácticas relacionadas con la Salud Sexual y Reproductiva en los estudiantes de una Universidad del Suroccidente Colombiano. Materiales y métodos: Investigación cuantitativa, descriptiva, prospectiva de corte transversal; se realizó con estudiantes matriculados en I y II semestre en el primer periodo académico 2016; el cálculo de la muestra se obtuvo utilizando la fórmula de varianza desconocida y población total conocida (3.489), obteniendo un tamaño de muestra de 415 estudiantes. Se utilizó un instrumento tipo encuesta estructurada elaborada a partir del formato de consejería del programa de salud sexual y reproductiva universitario.  Los datos se procesaron a través de Excel y el   paquete estadístico SPSS versión 22, para determinar la significación de la asociación se utilizó la prueba Chi cuadrado con una confiabilidad de 95%. Resultados: En la población estudiada se encontró un predominio masculino del 50,7%, la edad promedio fue de 19 años, encontrando que el 81% están en una etapa de adolescencia tardía, el 62% tiene un nivel de conocimientos deficientes sobre salud sexual y reproductiva, el 78% inicio vida sexual con edad promedio de 16 años, un gran porcentaje de estos estudiantes tienen entre 1 y 3 compañeros(as) sexuales al año. El 70% utilizó condón en su primera relación sexual y el 12,3% de la población utilizó la píldora de emergencia. Conclusiones: El nivel de conocimiento acerca de salud sexual y reproductiva es deficiente. La mayoría de los estudiantes encuestados utilizan al menos un método de planificación familiar en sus relaciones sexuales.Palabras clave: Sexualidad, Salud reproductiva, estudiantes, conocimientos y prácticas en salud.Sexual and reproductive health in university students: beyond knowledge andpractices AbstractObjective: To describe the knowledge and practices related to Sexual and Reproductive Health in the students of a University of the Suroccidente Colombiano. Materials and methods: Quantitative descriptive prospective cross-sectional study; was carried out in students enrolled in I and II semester in the first academic period 2016; the calculation of the sample was obtained using the formula of unknown variance and known total population (3,489), obtaining a sample size of 415 students. A structured survey-type instrument was developed based on the counseling format of the university's sexual and reproductive health program. Data were processed through Excel and the SPSS version 22 statistical package, to determine the significance of the association was used Chi square test with a reliability of 95%. Results: A male prevalence of 50.7% was found in the study population, the mean age was 19 years, and 81% were in the late teens, 62% had a poor level of knowledge about sexual health and reproductive, 78% start sexual life with average age of 16 years, a large percentage of these students have between 1 and 3 sexual partners a year. Seventy percent used a condom at their first sexual intercourse and 12.3% of the population used the emergency pill. Conclusions: The level of knowledge about sexual and reproductive health is deficient. Most students surveyed use at least one method of family planning in their sexual relationships.Saúde sexual reprodutiva em estudantes universitários: conhecimentos e práticasSumario Objetivos: Descrever os conhecimentos e práticas relacionados com a saúde sexual e reprodutiva em estudantes de uma Universidado sudoeste Colombiano. Materiais e Métodos: A pesquisa quantitativa transversal descritiva prospectiva; foi realizado em estudantes matriculados em I e II, semestre 2016; cálculo da amostra foi obtida utilizando a fórmula de variância desconhecida e a população total conhecido (3489), obtendo-se um tamanho de amostra de 415 estudantes. Foi utilizado um tipo de instrumento de pesquisa estruturada. Os dados foram processados pelo pacote estatístico Excel versão 2010 e SPSS versão 22, para determinar o significado do teste foram utilizados do qui-quadrado de associação com uma confiabilidade de 95%. Resultados: Na população estudada predominância do sexo masculino de 50,7%, a idade média dos alunos era de 19 anos, descobrindo que 81% estão em uma fase de adolescência tardia, 62% têm um nível de conhecimentos regulares saúde sexual e reprodutiva, 78% inicio vida sexual com uma idade média de 16 anos, uma grande porcentagem desses estudantes estão entre 1 e 3 parceiro (s) ano sexual. 70% usam preservativo em sua primeira relação sexual e 12,3% da população usava a pílula de emergência. Conclusões: O nível de conhecimento sobre a saúde sexual e reprodutiva é regular. A maioria dos estudantes pesquisados usar pelo menos um método de planejamento familiar em suas relações sexuais.Palavras-chave: Gestão de terapia de medicação, diagnóstico, enfermeiros, pediatria


2010 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Katharine E Sadler ◽  
Nicola Low ◽  
Catherine H Mercer ◽  
Lorna J Sutcliffe ◽  
M Amir Islam ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Zakaria ◽  
Junfang Xu ◽  
Farzana Karim ◽  
Subarna Mazumder ◽  
Feng Cheng

Abstract Background: Improving the sexual and reproductive health (SRH) of adolescent girls is one of the primary agenda of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Adequate and accurate knowledge, favorable attitude, safe behavior, and regular practice contribute to the adolescent girls’ SRH, maternal, and child health. In the background, this study aims to explore the level of knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of SRH among college-going older adolescent girls in Chittagong district, Bangladesh. Methods: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted in four colleges among the older adolescent girls age group of 16-17 (N = 792) attending a higher secondary grade in Chittagong district. Data were collected using a structured and self-administered questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression analyses were used to summarize the SRH-related KAP and identify the associated factors, respectively. Results: 62% of study participants had the awareness that both physical and psychological changes occur in the adolescence period, while only 36% knew that menstruation is not a disease. Besides, only 30% of adolescent girls were informed about taking birth control has no adverse effect on the sexual relationship of a couple. Moreover, only 40% of students were learned that HIV could not be spread through the mosquito and flea, whereas only 25% knew that transmission of HIV is unlikely from an infected person’s coughing and sneezing. Of older adolescent girls, 35% disagreed perfectly whether sexual education can lead to more sexual activity. Besides, more or less 20% of participants opined that adolescent girls should refrain from going outside even to the school, entering into the kitchen, touching anyone, brushing hair, and see in the mirror. Moreover, 52% of adolescent girls wanted to learn more details about SRH, while 48% felt timid and afraid of their puberty changes. Besides, 62.5% of adolescent girls reported their using cloth during the menstrual cycle instead of the sanitary pad. Standardized coefficients beta (β) and p value < .05 in linear regression analyses explored that adolescent girls’ study of science, urban residence, reading or watching SRH contents on the mass media appeared as the more significant predictors for outcome variables. Conclusion: Many problems related to SRH exist among older adolescent girls in Bangladesh, such as behaviors and social constraints associated with menstruation, myths, and assumptions, recognition of the value of awareness and knowledge of reproductive health. Therefore, strengthening SRH-related comprehensive education programs incorporating into the curriculum, effective use of mass media, and supplying behavioral change communication materials are essential.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document