Attached
INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: To describe the
knowledge about reproductive health of students of the
University of Sri Jayawardanepura.
METHOD: A cross sectional descriptive study was carxl out among 450 students, following study courses during 2014 and 2015. Data were collected by a
self-administered, anonymous and pre-tested questionnaire. Students completed the questionnaires
on arrival for a consultation on a voluntary basis. All
completed questionnaires were collected in a sealed
box.
RESULTS: The response was 73.5% (331/450). M:F
ratio 1:2.09 . Most respondents did not have correct
knowledge on puberty. Knowledge differed according
to the source of information; informal source was
associated with misinformation, while medical and
informational sources were associated with better
knowledge. Of the respondents, 46(21.1 %) reported
having sexual intercourse before marriage; 36 males
and 10 females. Most had not used any method
(60.6%) to prevent conception or Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD). 12.1% used condoms and
12.1 % used emergency contraceptive pill. General
level of awareness of emergency contraceptive pills
vas 32.3% (107/331). Misinformation regarding contraceptive methods was high. However, 4 students
(16.6%) had used emergency contraceptive pills
themselves or had a partner who had used them.
The majority of students (57%) did not know symptoms of STD.
CONCLUSION: Results indicated that 20.3% of the university students are sexually active and their knowledge
about reproductive health was not satisfactory. Therefore, it is important to design programs to increase the
knowledge of reproductive health and HIV prevention
strategies that target university students at the University of Sri Jayawardenepura
1 University Medical Officer, University of Sri Jayewardenepura 2 Computer Applications Assistant and Data
Analyst Dept, of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura. Sri
Lanka.
