Level and Predictors of Knowledge of Reproductive Rights Among Haramaya University Students, Eastern Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Globally, two-thirds of pre-mature deaths and one-third of the total disease burden in adults are associated with problems that began in adolescent and youth. Global and national acting educational and health policies, strategies, and programs designed to promote, implement, and improve adolescent and youth sexual and reproductive health services utilization should be responsive, consider the knowledge of reproductive rights and risk factors. This study assessed the level and predictors of knowledge of reproductive rights among Haramaya University students in Ethiopia.Methods: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among randomly selected Haramaya University students from March 1 to 24, 2018. A self-administered pre-tested structured questionnaire was used to collect data from participants. Data were entered using EpiData version 3.1 and analyzed using SPSS version 24. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify factors associated with knowledge of reproductive rights. Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with 95% CI was used to report association and significance was declared at P-value < 0.05.Results: Of 822 total students invited to the study, 812 (98.8%) respondents participated in the study. A total of 424 students (52.2%, 95% CI: 48.8, 55.4%) had an above-average level of knowledge on reproductive rights. Participants who were in the fourth and above year of the study [AOR = 2.37 (1.58, 3.54)], whose father's had higher education [AOR = 1.89 (1.27, 2.80)], who came from rich families [AOR = 1.54 (1.07, 2.21)], in the health faculty [AOR = 3.37 (2.17, 5.23)], utilized reproductive health services [AOR = 2.81 (2.21, 4.98)] and participated in reproductive health club [AOR = 1.77 (1.27, 2.47)] were significantly associated with knowledge of reproductive rights.Conclusion: Around half of the participants knew reproductive rights. In this study, lack of awareness (information) on reproductive health issues and absence of reproductive health services utilization were strong independent predictors of knowledge of reproductive rights.

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

“…In this study, the level of knowledge on sexual and reproductive health rights was found to be 52.1% [95% CI (47.32–55.08)]. This finding is consistent with research from Nepal (51.12%) 12 ,52.2% 16 , and 54.5% 15 in Ethiopia. However, it is higher than studies conducted elsewhere in Ethiopia (16.4%), 14 (46.6%), 18 (47.1%) 17 and lower than studies conducted elsewhere in Ethiopia (57.7%), 19 (59.6%) 24 and 60.3% in Ikeja and 62.1% in Ikorodu in Nigeria.…”

“…Similarly, a study of Haramaya and Gondar university students found that the presence of reproductive health clubs on campus was significantly associated with optimal knowledge of sexual and reproductive health rights. 16,19 Participants in this study who were members of a reproductive health club were nearly four times more likely to have a good knowledge of sexual and reproductive health rights. Similarly, another study among university students found that https://doi.org/10.2147/AHMT.S394883…”

“…A previous study on university students found that being a student in the faculty of health science was more likely to have good knowledge of sexual and reproductive health rights. [14][15][16] Similarly, participants who attended secondary school in private schools were six times more likely to be knowledgeable about SRHR. The most likely reason is that, when compared to governmental schools, the total number of students in private schools was lower, allowing information to reach the majority of students easily through either reproductive health club or mini-media.…”

“…The sample size was calculated using a single population proportion formula, assuming 52.2% knowledge of sexual and reproductive health rights, 16 a 95% confidence interval (CI), and a 5% margin of error. N= (1.96) 2 0.522(0.478)/ (0.05) 2 =383.…”

“…12 It was around 60.3% in Ikeja and 62.1%% in Ikorodu, Nigeria, 13 and Ethiopian university students' average level of sexual and reproductive health rights knowledge ranged from a very low 16.4% to 57.7%. [14][15][16][17][18][19] According to studies, different backgrounds and other related variables influence students' knowledge of sexual and reproductive health rights. For instance, according to studies conducted among university students, urban resident, 15,19 information and education faculty, 19 availability of reproductive health service in the campus clinic, 19 attending high school in private schools, 15 being student of faculty of health sciences, [14][15][16] participation in reproductive health clubs, 15,24 utilization of reproductive health services 15 and discussing sexual issues with someone else 14,15,24 were all significantly related to knowledge on sexual and reproductive health rights.…”