The Views of Students on Sexual Health and Reproductive Health Course

Abstract

Training the young on sexual and reproductive health issues is important in the prevention of risky sexual behaviors. Designed as descriptive, the present study was performed to determine the views of students attending sexual health/reproductive health classes as elective courses. Composed of 124 students, all participants constituted the sampling group. The data were collected by a questionnaire. In analysis, percentage and mean values were used. Students’ mean age was 20.45 ± 1.08. Of all students, 87.9% were defined sexual health as “healthy sexuality” (n = 109). Students were detected to receive information on sexual/reproductive health issues at most from family/friends (38.7%) and secondly from the Internet (25.0%); however, the rate of getting information from health care providers was found very low (12.1%). Students stated that sexual health/reproductive health classes should primarily be given in the form of case presentation (96.0%) and interactive methods (70.2%), while 60.5% reported the lesson should be taught as compulsory, and 94.4% stated the training should be included to the curricula of all faculties in the university. We determined that students’ sources of information on sexual/reproductive health issues were insufficient. Based on these findings, sexual health/reproductive health classes should be included to the curricula in all departments.