A cross-sectional study to explore postgraduate students’ understanding of and beliefs about sexual and reproductive health in a public university, Malaysia

نویسندگان

  • Shahla Soleymani
  • Hejar Abdul Rahman
  • Rampal Lekhraj
  • Nor Afiah Mohd Zulkefli
  • Nasrin Matinnia
چکیده

BACKGROUND The main sexual and reproductive health issues among young people are premarital sexual intercourse, unwanted pregnancies, unsafe abortions and sexually transmitted diseases including Human Immunodeficiency Virus. The aim of this study was to determine the knowledge related to sexual and reproductive health among Malaysian postgraduate students in a public university in Malaysia. METHODS A cross-sectional study was carried out among postgraduate students by systematic random sampling technique. A pre-tested self administered questionnaire was used to collect the data. RESULTS Out of 434 respondents, the majority of students were female (78.6 %) and single (78.3 %). The overall mean age of respondents was 27.0 ranging from 20 to 46 years of age. The main sources of information for sexual and reproductive health awareness were the internet (78.6 %) and newspaper (61.8 %). The majority (97.9 %) of the students knew that AIDS is a sexually transmitted disease. Most of them believed that the spread of sexually transmitted diseases was through shaking hands (92.1 %). Use of condoms was perceived to be the best way to avoid sexually transmitted diseases (88.4 %). Sexual and reproductive health knowledge was significantly associated with the students' age, marital status and faculty. The socio-demographic factors and current educational status accounted for a significant 9 % of the variability in sexual and reproductive health knowledge, f (7, 426) = 11, p <0.001. CONCLUSIONS The postgraduate students' level of knowledge on sexual and reproductive health was not satisfactory. Sexual and reproductive health knowledge was associated with the students' marital status and faculty. Intervention programs related to sexual and reproductive health are recommended.

برای دانلود رایگان متن کامل این مقاله و بیش از 32 میلیون مقاله دیگر ابتدا ثبت نام کنید

ثبت نام

اگر عضو سایت هستید لطفا وارد حساب کاربری خود شوید

منابع مشابه

Sexual Behaviors and Its Predictors among Iranian Women Living in Kashan City 2017: A Cross-Sectional Study

a:4:{s:9:"Objective";s:136:"Objectives: This study aimed to explore the components of sexual behaviors and their possible associations with the women's demographic.";s:19:"MaterialsAndMethods";s:220:"A National Sexual Behavior Assessment Questionnaire was administered to 500 women ages 15 to 45 who referred to the public health centers seeking for health care services. The associations with dem...

متن کامل

Cultural Beliefs on Menstrual Health in Bam City: A Qualitative Study

Background: Menstruation is a natural and physiologic process that is managed based on various socio-cultural habits and behaviors. Cultural beliefs about menstruation can improve or worsen menstrual health behavior. The present study aimed to explore the cultural beliefs about menstrual health in Bam city, Iran. Materials and Methods: This is a qualitative study with Directed Content Analysis...

متن کامل

The Relationship between Religious Beliefs and Behaviors and the Intention of Premarital Sexual Abstinence among Iranian Youths

Background and objectives : Relatively little is known about the relationship between religion and abstinence. The aim of this study was to examine the correlation between religious beliefs and behaviors and the intention of premarital sexual abstinence among Iranian youths. Methods: The current study was a cross-sectional one carried out among youths of five universities in Shiraz, Iran. 577 p...

متن کامل

A Study of the Beliefs of Female Students in Pakdasht City about Obese People and the Related Factors

Background: The present study was conducted to investigate the beliefs of girl students in Pakdasht city about obese people and the factors related to it. Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted on 350 grade-seven students in Pakdasht city. The data collection tool was a BAOP questionnaire, including demographic information and eight five-choice questions on the beliefs about obesity...

متن کامل

An exploration of knowledge, attitudes and behaviours of young multiethnic Muslim-majority society in Malaysia in relation to reproductive and premarital sexual practices

BACKGROUND The increasing trend of premarital sexual experience and unintended pregnancies in Malaysia warrants sustained and serious attention. The sensitivities of sex-related issues in a Muslim-majority country create various types of barriers to sexual and reproductive health information, support and practices. This study aims to gain understanding of knowledge, attitudes and behaviours of ...

متن کامل

ذخیره در منابع من


  با ذخیره ی این منبع در منابع من، دسترسی به آن را برای استفاده های بعدی آسان تر کنید

عنوان ژورنال:

دوره 12  شماره 

صفحات  -

تاریخ انتشار 2015