Abstract
Objectives: To assess the knowledge, awareness and attitudes among college going students towards reproductive and sexual health rights, issues and practices. Methods/Statistical analysis: A cross-sectional study was conducted across colleges of Guwahati city among the first year students over the months of January and February 2020. The method of systematic random sampling was used. Sample size amounted to 306 students. Age group of the sample ranged between 18-19 years. The basic inclusion criteria was that the target population needs to be first year students enrolled in either science or arts stream. Self-administered questionnaires were the primary method of data collection. Analysis of data was done using Microsoft excel and open EPI software. Chi square test of independence was performed to test linkages between crucial variables. Findings : A total of 306 students were enrolled for the study. With respect to knowledge about legal statutes relating to reproductive rights issues like abortion, duration of maternity leave, 52% of the respondents had correct knowledge and information. 49% of the students were aware about the legality of homosexuality in India. Knowledge questions on sexual health and menstrual hygiene generated correct responses from 44% of students. 87% of the students favoured inclusion of sex education in at the institutional levels and free supply of implements for maintenance of menstrual hygiene at schools and colleges. Application: The findings of this study can supplement and assist further health policy research in the field of adolescent sexual health rights and needs especially, in the Northeastern Indian region. Keywords: Sexual health; reproductive rights; homosexuality; menstrual hygiene; sex education
Highlights
Sexual and reproductive healthcare and rights are ideas that are staggeringly discounted and overlooked in the Indian policy discourse and South Asia, in general
As a country which prides itself on its youth dominated demographic dividend, the issues connected with the youth like sexuality, sexual and reproductive health awareness, knowledge of contraception, menstrual hygiene etc, regrettably, are thoroughly marginalised in the policy discourse and in the process of socialisation and social learning
The findings indicate that more than 50% of the respondents were not aware of the fact that homosexuality had been decriminalised in India
Summary
Sexual and reproductive healthcare and rights are ideas that are staggeringly discounted and overlooked in the Indian policy discourse and South Asia, in general. Fifty percent of maternal deaths among girls from 15-19 year age occur due to unsafe abortion practices [2,3]. Against this backdrop, popularisation and promotion of sexual and reproductive health awareness is an imperative. A report by NACO confirms that the HIV epidemic is very high in Meghalaya (0.76%), which is the third highest in the country after Mizoram (1.19%) and Nagaland (0.82%) [5]. All of these states belong to the northeast Indian region
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