Sexual Reproductive Health Knowledge Research Articles

Factors that influence sexual reproductive health knowledge among adolescent girls with disabilities in Kiambu County

Background/Aims Problems related to sexual health can have adverse effects on the overall health of adolescent girls, including those living with a physical disability. Improving sexual and reproductive health knowledge among this population can enable them to make informed decisions in relation to their sexual health. However, the sociodemographic characteristics that influence knowledge in this population have not been explored. This study investigated the influence of sociodemographic characteristics on the sexual and reproductive health knowledge of adolescent girls living with physical disabilities in Kiambu County, Kenya. Methods A cross-sectional mixed method study was conducted among 144 purposively selected adolescent girls aged 10–19 years old living with physical disabilities. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to gather data on participants' sociodemographic characteristics and their sexual and reproductive health knowledge. Odds ratios and logistic regression was used to analyse the data. Results One in five (20.8%) of the participants had already had a sexual experience, and only 24.3% of participants had good sexual and reproductive health knowledge. The majority of the participants (54.9%) had low socioeconomic status, which was the only factor significantly associated with level of knowledge (odds ratio=4.91, P=0.021). Conclusions Socioeconomic status is a major determinant of sexual and reproductive health knowledge among adolescent girls living with disabilities. Measures must be put in place to economically empower the families of these girls, to facilitate improved knowledge and thus ensure their sexual health and wellbeing. Implications for practice Education interventions are needed that are tailored to adolescent girls living with disabilities to promote reproductive health in this population.

Assessment of Knowledge of Sexual Reproductive Health Among Female University Students in Jordan.

Sexual reproductive health (SRH) is an important aspect of human life, especially in the younger age groups. Young adults are the most vulnerable group to SRH consequences, as they have limited access to its information and services. This is one of the earliest studies conducted to examine the knowledge of SRH among female university students in Jordan. The aim of this study is to assess the knowledge of SRH among female Jordanian university students and to determine the social and individual factors that may affect this knowledge. A cross-sectional design was used, and a convenient sample consisting of 427 female university students was recruited from the University of Jordan. The inclusion criteria were female unmarried students aged 18-25 years old, while the exclusion criteria were married, divorced, or engaged female students. A valid and reliable self-administered questionnaire was used to assess the student's knowledge of SRH. Data were collected between February 21 and March 20, 2022. IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 23.0 (Released 2015; IBM Corp., Armonk, New York, United States) was used for data analysis, and an independent sample t-test was used to investigate mean differences in the SRH score based on demographic characteristics. Overall, it was found that only 26.2% of all the participants had adequate knowledge of SRH. Additionally, they have inadequate knowledge regarding the different aspects of SRH such as premarital, vaccination, menstruation, contraception, and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), except for the section on folic acid, which demonstrated adequate knowledge. Furthermore, the participants' scores of total SRH knowledge were significantly different based on their original place of living, current residency, educational level, religion, and university faculty. Due to the inadequate level of knowledge, this study highlights the need to establish educational and awareness programs concerning SRH and to incorporate this subject into the university and school curricula.

Level of Knowledge on Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights Among the Teenage Mothers and Their Parents in Rwanda: A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study.

Parents are the primary caregivers and influential figures in adolescents' lives. They play a crucial role in shaping their children's attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors regarding sexual reproductive health. A vast difference in knowledge between adolescents and their parents indicates failure in knowledge translation and is associated with sexual and reproductive consequences, such as teenage pregnancies. In this cross-sectional study between December 2020 and December 2021, 834 teenage mothers and their parents/guardians (n = 861) were enrolled from all five provinces of Rwanda. Knowledge of sexual reproductive health (SRH) rights was assessed, and the differences between the understanding of parents and their children were analyzed using Chi-square tests. There were statistically significant differences forall the assessed aspects of SRH knowledge rights between parents and their teenagers (ie, on the age of consent,safe abortion,right to education for teenage mothers, understanding of financial responsibilities, and perceptions of legal consequences). There is a significant knowledge difference between the two generations regarding their understanding of SRH rights. It is recommended that future programming should devise innovative ways that bring together parents and their children to discuss sexual reproductive health rights, which will result in empowered children and teenagers in Rwanda. Also, awareness programs are needed to improve the knowledge gaps regarding SRH in the public by policymakers, NGOs, and educators.

Influence of Types of Sexual Reproductive Health Communication between Parents and Adolescents in Butere Sub-County

Parents are perceived to be an attractive source of information for influencing adolescents’ SRH (Sexual Reproductive Health) knowledge, attitudes, and behaviour because parents are accessible and always willing sources of information for their adolescent children. Conversations between parents and adolescents about their sexuality in particular are often difficult for both parents and adolescents in Africa. Lack of consistent SRH communication between parents and adolescents has resulted in risky sexual behaviours. In western Kenya, specifically Butere Sub County, the divergence noted in contemporary adolescent sexual behaviour can be explained within the backdrop of collapsed traditional moral codes and mechanisms that controlled and checked sexual behaviour and dereliction of responsibilities by parents while other supportive family institutions (grandparents, uncles, and aunts) have become evanescent. The study sought to determine the influence of types of sexual reproductive health communication between parents and adolescents. This was an analytic cross-sectional study utilising mixed methods study design to collect data. A sample size of 284 participants was selected according to Mugenda and Mugenda; study participants were the parents of adolescents aged between ten to eighteen years of age and the adolescents themselves of the ages between ten to eighteen years old in Butere. Butere was purposively sampled as a place to carry out the study. Random sampling was used to select households with parents and adolescents to participate in the study. Semi-structured questionnaires were administered by the researcher to collect quantitative data from the respondents and analysed using descriptive statistics and presented in percentages. Qualitative data was also collected through FGDs and KIIs using FGD and interview guides; it was then analysed thematically and presented in the form of a narrative. Results in the study show how the types of sexual reproductive health communication used between parents and adolescents influence the SRH communication strategy between adolescents and parents in Butere Sub-County in Kakamega County

An Unstructured Supplementary Service Data-Based mHealth App Providing On-Demand Sexual Reproductive Health Information for Adolescents in Kibra, Kenya: Randomized Controlled Trial.

BackgroundAdolescents transitioning from childhood to adulthood need to be equipped with sexual reproductive health (SRH) knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values that empower them. Accessible, reliable, appropriate, and friendly information can be provided through mobile phone–based health interventions.ObjectiveThis study aims to investigate the effectiveness and impact of an Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD)–based app in increasing adolescents’ knowledge about contraceptives, gender-based stereotypes, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), abstinence, and perceived vulnerability, and helping adolescents make informed decisions about their SRH.MethodsA randomized controlled trial (RCT) methodology was applied to investigate the potential of a USSD-based app for providing on-demand SRH information. To be eligible, adolescents aged 15 to 19 years residing in Kibra, Kenya, had to have access to a phone and be available for the 3-month follow-up visit. Participants were randomly assigned to the intervention (n=146) and control (n=154) groups using sequentially numbered, opaque, sealed envelopes. The primary outcome was improved SRH knowledge. The secondary outcome was improved decision-making on SRH. The outcomes were measured using validated tools on adolescent SRH and user perceptions during the follow-up visit. A paired sample t test was used to compare the changes in knowledge scores in both groups. The control group did not receive any SRH information.ResultsDuring the RCT, 54.9% (62/109) of adolescents used the USSD-based app at least once. The mean age by randomization group was 17.3 (SD 1.23) years for the control group and 17.3 (SD 1.12) years for the intervention group. There was a statistically significant difference in the total knowledge scores in the intervention group (mean 10.770, SD 2.012) compared with the control group (mean 10.170, SD 2.412) conditions (t179=2.197; P=.03). There was a significant difference in abstinence (P=.01) and contraceptive use (P=.06). Of the individuals who used the app, all participants felt the information received could improve decision-making regarding SRH. Information on STIs was of particular interest, with 27% (20/62) of the adolescents seeking information in this area, of whom 55% (11/20) were female. In relation to improved decision-making, 21.6% (29/134) of responses showed the adolescents were able to identify STIs and were likely to seek treatment; 51.7% (15/29) of these were female. Ease of use was the most important feature of the app for 28.3% (54/191) of the responses.ConclusionsAdolescents require accurate and up-to-date SRH information to guide their decision-making and improve health outcomes. As adolescents already use mobile phones in their day-to-day lives, apps provide an ideal platform for this information. A USSD-based app could be an appropriate tool for increasing SRH knowledge among adolescents in low-resource settings. Adolescents in the study valued the information provided because it helped them identify SRH topics on which they needed more information.Trial RegistrationPan African Clinical Trial Registry PACTR202204774993198; https://pactr.samrc.ac.za/TrialDisplay.aspx?TrialID=22623

A Comparison of Sexual Reproductive Health Knowledge Between Transgender Men and Cisgender Women [04B

INTRODUCTION: Gynecologic care for transgender (trans) men can be emotionally challenging due to the nature of the examinations. However, it remains important and recommended, especially in individuals who have not undergone gender-affirming surgery. There are currently no published studies assessing trans men's knowledge of sexual reproductive health (SRH) and gynecologic care. This study aimed to compare SRH knowledge and gynecologic care practices of trans men and cisgender women. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey composed of 41-questions that addressed demographics, SRH knowledge, and gynecologic care practices was administered online using Amazon Mechanical Turk. Inclusion criteria included female assigned at birth, 18 years or older and residing in the US. Data were analyzed descriptively using SPSS. RESULTS: To date, 520 participants (n=167 trans men, n=353 cisgender women) have completed the survey. Preliminary analyses revealed that trans men answered less than 50% of the twenty knowledge questions correctly (mean correct responses: 48.1% vs 62.9% for cisgender women), demonstrating significantly lower baseline SRH knowledge than cisgender women [95% CI 11.35–18.43, P<.001]. More trans men expressed interest in learning about the female reproductive system than cisgender women (68.9% vs 54.4%). Additionally, trans men reported more medical visits for SRH issues than cisgender women in the last 12 months (mean visits: 4.27 vs 3.03) and were more likely to discuss SRH concerns with providers other than gynecologists. CONCLUSION: Trans men seem to have limited SRH knowledge but are interested in learning more about their natal reproductive organs. Providers including gynecologist should assess for knowledge gaps and engage in appropriate counseling.

A quasi-experimental text messaging trial to improve adolescent sexual and reproductive health and smoking knowledge in Indonesia.

A quasi-experimental short message service (SMS) trial of young people aged 16-24 years receiving twice weekly SMS over a 10-week intervention period. Pre- and post-online demographic and risk behaviour surveys were used to assess changes in knowledge. Among respondents who completed both surveys, we assessed changes in knowledge before and after SMS intervention using paired McNemar's test and differences in mean knowledge score using a paired t-test. In total, 555 eligible young people were enrolled into the SMS intervention; 235 (42%) completed a follow-up survey, of which 198 (84%) were matched to a baseline survey. Median age of participants was 19 years and the majority were female (63%). The mean knowledge score significantly increased between baseline and follow-up surveys for SRH questions [2.7, (95% CI 2.47, 2.94) vs 3.4 (95% CI 2.99, 3.81) (P = <0.01)] and smoking-related questions [3.8 (95% CI 3.66, 3.99) vs 4.1 (95% CI 3.99, 4.28) (P = 0.03)]. A majority of participants reported that the SMS intervention increased their knowledge (95%) and were a useful reminder (95%). An SMS intervention was feasible, acceptable and improved adolescents' SRH knowledge and smoking knowledge in a low- to middle-income setting. SMS interventions targeting young people need to be scaled up, with the potential to explore additional topics around healthy lifestyle, nutrition and physical activity.

Abriendo Futuros: An empowerment program for indigenous adolescent girls in Yucatán, Mexico

Abstract Background Abriendo Futuros is a a girl-centered empowerment program that engages community leaders and trains older indigenous girls as mentors to run community girls’ clubs, known as safe spaces. Mentors work directly with indigenous girls to deliver program curricula tailored to the girls’ specific and unique needs to builds girls’ assets in areas such as sexual and reproductive education, gender equality, violence prevention, leadership, financial education and healthy lifestyles. Objectives The program aims to improve critical health, social, and cognitive skills that help girls have a voice and choice in their lives and allows them to draw the path to a healthy adult life, overcoming the risks present in their context. The program was implemented in 8 rural communities in the south of Yucatan. A total of 657 girls were enrolled over the 18-month-implementation period (2015 - 2017). Results A quasi-experimental evaluation was implemented in 11 communities (8 intervention and three control). Preliminary findings, using the Propensity Score Matching technique, suggest significant positive effects on intermediate outcomes such as financial literacy, attitudes towards gender norms, sexual reproductive health knowledge, social capital, and perceived exposure to physical violence. No statistically significant results were achieved in main outcomes (reduce adolescent pregnancy and school dropout). We associate this, mainly to the fact that the intervention was only at an individual level, but also to the limited sample size and the brief observation period (18 months). Conclusions Girl-centered programming increases access to spaces where girls meet to expand their knowledge and social networks and build assets that reduce their risks and broadens their opportunities. However, further evidence is needed on multi-level and multisector girl-centered interventions to address teenage pregnancy and other complex issues. Key messages The program generates a social safety net among girls and mentors that is key to the well-being of girls. Girl-centered programs have positive effects on girĺs empowerment for girls who live in vulnerable situations and unequal social contexts.

Assessment of Sexual Reproductive Health Knowledge Amongst Patients with Cystic Fibrosis

This study is concerned with evaluating cystic fibrosis (CF) annual review practice. More precisely, we wanted to know if we are utilizing genetic counseling services and identifying poor knowledge of sexual reproductive health at annual review. We conducted short interviews with 21 CF patients at annual review regarding genetic counseling knowledge and perception. Patient responses were documented, analyzed and coded using a simple thematic analysis to precis the content. Immediately post-interview, patients were asked to complete a CF questionnaire comprised of nine questions, testing knowledge of the science of Mendelian genetics, contraceptive needs and fertility. Knowledge was then compared to responses documented at annual review. Emerging themes from interviews included: poor knowledge and a need for more information regarding what genetic counseling involves, a positive perception and experience of genetic counseling for those who had attended, and partner anxiety related to carrier testing. The percentage of patients who reported they were aware of the CF fertility and genetic issues was 95%, however, questionnaire scores ranged from 0 to 9/9 (mean 4.8 SD [2.2]). 57% of patients had received genetic counseling. These patients had a statistically significantly higher score 6.2 (1.5) versus those who had not 2.9 (1.3) p < 0.001. The All Wales Adult CF Centre annual review practice is insufficient to identify patients who may benefit from further education on reproductive health. Traditionally these domains have been granted less significance. However, as life expectancy, quality of life and reproductive assistive techniques improve, ensuring appropriate patient knowledge is of greater importance.

Urban–Rural and Socioeconomic Variations in the Knowledge of STIs and AIDS Among Bangladeshi Adolescents

This study used data from the Bangladesh Adolescents Survey 2005 to identify socioeconomic and urban-rural determinants of knowledge regarding sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including HIV/AIDS transmission. A cluster sampling of 11 986 adolescents was conducted from April to August 2005. Data were analyzed using SPSS applying principle component analysis, multivariate logistic regression analysis, and prevalence ratios (PRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Overall knowledge of transmission of STIs was poor (4.5%), showing urban adolescents having twice the knowledge of rural adolescents (PR = 1.9; 95% CI = 1.6-2.2). HIV/AIDS knowledge level was high (68%), with a 40% higher knowledge among urban adolescents (PR = 1.4; 95% CI = 1.3-1.4). Probability of knowledge of STIs and HIV/AIDS transmission was lowest in 12- to 14-year-old uneducated female household workers of the poorest socioeconomic status in rural settings (0.0002 and 0.064, respectively). The urban-rural factor was more important than the socioeconomic factor. Health promotion and education programs can play an important role in improving the sexual reproductive health knowledge situation.

The impact of life skills education on adolescent sexual risk behaviors in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Purpose To assess the impact of exposure to life skills education by youth in KwaZulu-Natal Province (KZN, South Africa) on knowledge and behaviors associated with the spread of HIV/AIDS. Methods Data come from a panel study of 2222 youth from several population subgroups in KZN. The youth were aged 14–24 years when interviewed in 1999 and 2001. The intervention was a full coverage life skills education program for all students in middle and secondary schools. Impact was measured as net dose-response relationships between life skills exposure and outcomes. Econometric methods were used to control for nonrandom exposure to life skills education. Outcomes included sexual behavior and condom use indicators. Results Significant effects, albeit modest in magnitude, were observed on selected areas of sexual-reproductive health knowledge and perceived condom self-efficacy, along with larger effects on condom use at first and last sex. No consistent effects on age at sexual initiation, secondary abstinence, or partnering behaviors were observed among these youth. Conclusions School-based life skills education appears capable of communicating key information and helping youth develop skills relevant to reducing HIV risk. However, the South African national program has yet to be fully implemented, and whether this initiative will result in sustained behavior modification among youth on a sufficient scale to affect the HIV/AIDS epidemic is uncertain.

Reproductive health risk and protective factors among youth in Lusaka, Zambia.

To: (a) identify risk and protective factors for behaviors that expose Zambian youth to risk of HIV infection and, (b) assess whether research findings from the United States concerning protective factors in "high-risk" environments might apply to other settings. A community-based sample of 2328 youth ages 10-24 years residing in Lusaka, Zambia was interviewed. Multivariate statistical methods were used to isolate risk and protective factors for selected sexual and contraceptive behaviors. Seven categories of factors were considered: sociodemographic factors, sexual-reproductive health knowledge and perceptions, nonsexual risk behaviors, peer influence, connections with parents and social institutions, and communication with sexual partners. A sizeable number of factors were associated with each outcome. Only two factors, school attendance and knowledge of AIDS, were associated with both lower levels of sexual activity and consistent use of condoms, and only engaging in higher-risk social activities with close friends was a risk factor for both. The effects of the other factors considered varied by outcome and gender. As in prior research, strong influences of peers were observed, but connections with parents and social institutions unexpectedly did not emerge as protective. Because of the number and diverse nature of factors influencing adolescent behaviors, it is unlikely that a single intervention will be found to immediately change sexual risk-taking behaviors in Zambia.