• P-ISSN 0974-6846 E-ISSN 0974-5645

Indian Journal of Science and Technology

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Awareness and attitude towards reproductive and sexual health rights and practices among college students: An empirical study
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Indian Journal of Science and Technology

DOI: 10.17485/IJST/v13i25.911

Year: 2020, Volume: 13, Issue: 25, Pages: 2502-2508

Original Article

Awareness and attitude towards reproductive and sexual health rights and practices among college students: An empirical study

Parismita Bhagawati1*

1Political Science, Cotton University, Guwahati, 781001, Assam, Tel.: 8761023249

* Corresponding Author
  Tel.: 8761023249
  Email: +[email protected]


Received Date:12 June 2020, Accepted Date:05 July 2020, Published Date:16 July 2020

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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

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Copyright

© 2020 Bhagawati.This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. Published By Indian Society for Education and Environment (iSee)

  • 16 July 2020

Year: 2020, Volume: 13, Issue: 25

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