Knowledge regarding sexual and reproductive health among adolescents in higher secondary school

Abstract

Background: Adolescent reproductive health is one of the component of the reproductive health. It is most important issue in the world. Reproductive capability is taking place at an earlier age and adolescents are indulging in risk taking behaviors day by day. The objective of this study is to assess knowledge regarding sexual and reproductive health among adolescents.
 Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in Kathmandu valley to assess the knowledge regarding sexual and reproductive health among adolescents. Total of 200 respondents were selected through non-probability purposive sampling technique. Self-administered written questionnaire was used for data collection. The collected data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics such as frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation and inferential statistics such as Chi-square test.
 Results: The findings revealed that most of the respondents had knowledge regarding transmission and protection of HIV/AIDS and STIs but still some respondents had misconception regarding it. The statistical analysis revealed that the total mean knowledge score with standard deviation was 45.02±8.674. Nearly half of the respondents (49.5%) had moderate level of knowledge, followed by inadequate level of knowledge 29.5% and adequate level of knowledge 21.0% regarding sexual and reproductive health. There was statistically significant association of level of knowledge with area of residence (p-value 0.002).
 Conclusion: Nearly half of the respondents possess some knowledge about sexual and reproductive health but still effective educational intervention is required to increase their knowledge.

Knowledge and Perception Regarding Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health Services among Adolescents attending a Tertiary Level Hospital

“…A similar descriptive study was conducted in Wuhan, China among female college students showed that level of knowledge was statistically significant (P value < 0.001) between different sociodemographic variables. 9 This finding is contrast with the present study. As the studies were conducted in two different countries with different numbers of study population, such discrepancies of results could be explained.…”

Access and utilization of the youth-friendly sexual and reproductive health services in Nepal: What does literature show?

“…Studies showed that most youths know partially sexual and reproductive health (Shrestha & Awale, 2017;SPN, 2015;Upadhyaya, 2016;). Appropriate coordination between different governmental agencies and partners is necessary to disseminate information about youthfriendly sexual and reproductive health services; adolescents were not aware of sexual and reproductive health services provided for them (Khanal, 2016;WHO, 2017).…”

“…In 2017 Ministry of Health (MoH) launched the mobile app 'Khulduli' intending to promote sexual and reproductive health and right of adolescents in Nepal by empowering them with the right information about their health and helping them adopt a healthy lifestyle. Literature shows that some essential issues which are associated with access and utilization of youth-friendly sexual and reproductive health services are frequently occurring in Nepal, such as adequate knowledge of sexual and reproductive health services is poor among youth (Shrestha, 2017;Shrestha & Awale, 2017;WHO, 2017), Premarital sexual intercourse is common among young people (Puri & Celand, 2006), child marriage is still existing in Nepal (MoH, New ERA & ICF, 2017), and occurring complication of teenage pregnancy (Neupane, 2018). This review aims to assess the status of youth-friendly sexual and reproductive health services utilization in Nepal.…”