Reproductive health knowledge of male students of Shiraz high schools

Introduction: The vital role of reproductive health in different aspects of human health and socio-economic development of the community on the one hand, and male teenagers’ knowledge about it on the other hand, necessitate priority setting and programming of health education. This study is conducted to investigate reproductive health knowledge level of male high school students in Shiraz, Iran. Methods: In this cross-section study, 360 high school male students studying in Shiraz high schools were randomly selected, using cluster sampling technique. All students completed a pre-designed questionnaire and the results were analyzed using SPSS statistical software. Results: Students’ knowledge regarding some items such as proper age for marriage of girls and the best age for pregnancy, was very good, but regarding some other information, such as contraception methods, the knowledge scores were very low and unacceptable. Among male contraception methods, condom was the most well known method, but, the female contraception methods were more familiar for them. Regarding sexually transmitted diseases, the students’ knowledge scores were low. Conclusion: In spite of acceptable knowledge of the students about some aspects of reproductive health, education programs, especially about sexually transmitted diseases are necessary