The Role of Population and Family Planning Course in Knowledge and Attitude of Female Students in Tabriz University

Introduction: Population and family planning course is presented for different university disciplines in order to promote students' awareness toward family planning issues. This study was performed to determine the role of population and family planning course in knowledge and attitude of female BS (Bachelor of Science) students of Tabriz University toward family planning issues, compare the achieved knowledge in different groups of students, and determine their attitude toward the gender of this course's teacher. Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 336 students were selected from all Female BS students entered into Tabriz University in the years 2004 and 2005, through multistage sampling method in the year 2007. A questionnaire in two sections of knowledge and attitude, each including three subjects of family planning, family organization, and demography was distributed among them. Data was analyzed by SPSS software using descriptive statistics, T-test, T independent test, and ANOVA. Results: Comparing the knowledge scores of family planning, family organization, and demography of taught students which respectively were 1.66, 8.04, and 7.88, to those of untaught students which were respectively, 0.58, 4.28, and 3.76, showed a significant difference. Also the attitude scores of taught students in the same subjects were respectively, 21.30, 22.10, and 21.20 and of untaught students were respectively, 19.26, 20.02, and 19.79, which their comparison revealed a significant difference. But no significant differe-nce was observed between the achieved knowledge of students in different educational groups. Most female students preferred female teacher for this course. Conclusion: Formal and academic education plays an essential role in enhancing the individuals' know-ledge and attitude. It is recommended to put effort on teaching family planning programs and choose female teachers in order to enrich the education for female students.