Knowledge of Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights Among University Students: A Cross-Sectional Study in Southeast Ethiopia

Abstract

In many situations, it can still be challenging to talk about sexual and reproductive health rights, and the little scientific research available indicates that university students have a poor understanding of these issues. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the knowledge of sexual and reproductive health rights among university students in southeast Ethiopia. Methodology: From February to March 2022, 483 study participants took part in an institutionally based cross-sectional study. The study participants were chosen using a SRS method. EpiData version 4.6.2.0 was used to enter data, and SPSS version 26.0 was used to analyze it. A bivariate and multivariable binary logistic regression model was used to identify factors associated with SRHR knowledge. The odds ratio and a 95% confidence interval were used to calculate the significance level. Results:The optimal level of knowledge on SRHR was discovered to be 52.1% [95% CI (47.32-55.08)] among university students in southeast Ethiopia. The multivariate binary logistic analysis indicated that being urban in the origin of residency [AOR=1.52, 95% CI (1.02-1.14)], being a health student [AOR= 12.21,], attending secondary school in private [AOR=6.12, 95% CI (1.02-1.14)], accessibility of a RH club on campus [AOR=6.12, 95% CI (1.02-1.14)] and participating in RH club [AOR=3.95, 95% CI (3.47-5.90)] to be variables that are strongly related to the optimal level of knowledge. Conclusion and Recommendation:Four out of ten students had poor knowledge of SRHR. The variables associated with a high level of knowledge about SRHR were urban residency, health students, attending a private secondary school, the availability of a RH club on campus, and participation in a RH club. Including sexual education in the non-health department's course, establishing RH clubs on campus, and encouraging participation of students in these clubs are recommended.

Sexual and Reproductive Health Behaviors among Ethiopian University Students: A Scoping Review

“…Similarly, 14 studies reported condom utilization (20,23,24,(28)(29)(30)(31)(32)(33)(34)(35)(36)(37)(38)). Among these, 3 studies described the prevalence of condom non-use during sexual activity and ranged from 23.3-57.2% (29)(30)(31) while the rest 10 studies described the prevalence of condom use during sexual activity and ranged 7.2-64.7% (20,23,24,28,(32)(33)(34)(35)(36)(37)(38).…”

“…Concerning behaviours, experiences, outcomes in the reviewed studies, surprisingly, all studies reported sexual activity and the prevalence was ranged from 18.9-79.5% (20,23,24,(28)(29)(30)(31)(32)(33)(34)(35)(36)(37)(38)(39).Among this, 2 studies had reported both the past (61.1% and 28.4%) and current (73.5% and 53.1%) status of sexual activity among participants (20,29) while the rest of studies (23,24,28,(30)(31)(32)(33)(34)(35)(36)(37)(38)(39) reported only the status of sexual activity at the time of the study.…”

“…Another two studies have reported the prevalence of abortion as 1.4%(28) and 2.5% (32). Knowledge and information on SRH&STIs/HIV/AIDS has been discussed in eight studies (20,28,29,31,32,35,36,39). The proportions of participants having the knowledge and information on SRH&STIs/HIV/AIDS have been ranged 16.4% (39) to 98% (29).…”

“…HEIs. Amongst them, 4 studies were conducted in University of Gondar (24,29,30,33), 3 studies were conducted in Madawalabo University (31,35,36), 2 studies were conducted in Ambo University (32,34), another 2 studies conducted in Aksum University (23,39) and 4 studies( 20) , (28), , (37) addressing youth friendly services and the topic of sexual violence or coercion was omitted because it has been already compiled in a meta-analysis study (40)(Fig. 2).…”

Reproductive health awareness among female university students at Saudi Arabia

“…3 A study conducted in Ethiopia to assess the knowledge of university student about the reproductive and sexual right found the level of awareness was low. 4 Another study reported that a high number of female university students in Egypt had poor knowledge about important issues in RH. 5 Likewise a program on reproductive health knowledge and attitude among women in rural Palestinian community found that there is low knowledge regarding postnatal health care, family planning method as well as poor knowledge concerning sexually transmitted diseases.…”