The knowledge and viewpoints of the young groups on family planning and sexual education

Sinan Ozalp MD * Omur Elcioglu PhD** Ilhami Unluoglu MD***

*Professor .Osmangazi University Faculty of Medicine Dep of Obstetrics and Gynecology Eskisehir /TURKEY

**Assistant Prof. Osmangazi University Faculty of Medicine Dep Medical Ethics Eskisehir/TURKEY

*** Professor .Osmangazi University Faculty of Medicine Dep of Family Medicine Eskisehir/TURKEY

Sexual and reproductive health of the adolescents is an issue of great importance. Sexual health for adolescent is based on three components: recognizing sexual rigths, sexually education and counselling, and confidential, highquality services.

Objectives:The objective of this study is to identify the knowledge, attitude and behaviors of the students, who have recently started their higher education at Osmangazi University Faculty of Medicine, on family planning and sex education.

Design and Methods:A survey questionnaire composed of 52 items was distributed to freshman students at Osmangazi University Faculty of Medicine in the first month of their education before they had any training on this issue in order to determine the level of knowledge of adolescents on reproductive health.

142 students compeleted the questionnaires and the rate of participation to the survey was 81,1 percent (n=175).This survey is a cross sectional study. Arithmetic mean, standard deviation, frequency and percentages were used to to analyze the data and describe the respondents in terms of the variables, taking account of the measurement level of variables. SPSS 10.0 program was used to this end.

Results and conclusions:76 respondents (53.5 percent) were female whereas 66 of them (46.5 percent) were male. The average age of the students was 18.01±3.24. When the respondents were asked where the fertilization takes place, it was found out that half of the students are misinformed on this issue. 118 respondents (83,1 percent) do not know whether contraceptive pills are used for purposes other than contraception.

When the students were asked to select the wrong information from a list of statements on IUDs, 14 students (9,9 percent) gave the correct answer choosing the statement that “IUDs are appropriate for nulligravid and multiple partner relationships”. It is also found out that the respondents do not know when to use IUDs. According to the data of the survey, condom is a method which is better known than other types of family planning methods.

Three-fourth of the respondents stated that their resource of sexual information was their friends.

The finding of our research reveal that the knowledge of adolescents on their reproductive health and family planning is insufficient. Students need to be informed on sexual, reproductive health.

Since the students prefer to get information from specialists, the education on sexual and reproductive health targeted at adolescents should be provided by the professionals working in medico-social centers.