Reproductive Health Knowledge and Awareness Among Male Students in the Faculty of Health Sciences
Year 2025,
Volume: 14 Issue: 3, 546 - 555, 31.10.2025
Seçil Köken Durgun
,
Hülya Demirci
,
Huriye Akkale
Abstract
Objective: The research was conducted to determine the knowledge level and awareness about reproductive health of male students at the faculty of health sciences. Materials and Methods: The study is cross-sectional. The sample of the study consisted of 313 male students enrolled in the faculty of health sciences of a state university. The data of the study was collected using a survey form prepared by the researchers in line with the literature in order to determine the students' knowledge levels and awareness regarding reproductive health. In order to prevent students from being influenced and to ensure data security, the data was distributed in opaque envelopes and the remainder was collected in opaque envelopes. In the analysis of data, numbers, percentages and average values were used. Results: The average age of male students participating in the research is 21.30 ± 2.18. 31.6% of the students are first year students. 75.4% of the students find their level of knowledge about sexual and reproductive health sufficient. It was found that they knew the most about condoms (93.6%) among family planning methods. The rate of students who know that condoms protect against sexually transmitted diseases is 93.0%. 15.0% of the students stated that they had previously received services regarding sexual and reproductive health, and 60.4% of them stated that the service they received was in the form of information/education. 92.3% of the participants stated that spouses should be treated together in the presence of a sexually transmitted disease. Conclusion: Regarding the reproductive health of male students within the scope of the research, It can be said that their level of knowledge and awareness is at an acceptable level. It may be recommended to expand reproductive health training for young people, draw attention to less well-known diseases in training, and pay attention to the participation of men.
References
-
Akalin, A. (2022). The effect of a reproductive health course on sexual myths, sexual attitudes and gender perceptions among university students. The European Journal of Contraception & Reproductive Health Care, 27(4), 330-334.https://doi.org/10.1080/13625187.2022.2045934
-
Akman, O., Raol, Y. H., Auvin, S., Cortez, M. A., Kubova, H., de Curtis, M., et al. (2018). Methodologic recommendations and possible interpretations of video-EEG recordings in immature rodents used as experimental controls: A TASK1-WG2 report of the ILAE/AES Joint Translational Task Force. Epilepsia Open, 3(4), 437–459. https://doi.org/10.1002/epi4.12262
-
Aslan, E., Bektaş, H., Başgöl, Ş., Demir, S., & Vural, P. I. (2014). Knowledge levels and behaviors of university students regarding sexual health. Journal of Continuing Medical Education, 23(5), 174-182.
Carolan, M. (2013). Maternal age ≥45 years and maternal and perinatal outcomes: A review of the evidence. Midwifery, 29(5), 479–489.
-
Commonwealth Secretariat. (2016). Global Youth Development Index and Report 2016. Commonwealth Secretariat. https://www.thecommonwealth-ilibrary.org/index.php/comsec/catalog/book/1119
-
Coşkun, N. (2019). Determination of factors affecting the sexual health seeking behavior of university youth (Master's thesis, Eskişehir Osmangazi University, Institute of Health Sciences, Department of Nursing).
-
Dalkıran, Y. (2019). Students’ knowledge levels and behaviors about sexual health, reproductive health and emergency contraception. Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam University Faculty of Medicine Specialization Thesis.
Dinç, A., Söğüt, S., & Cangöl, E. (2018). University students' knowledge, opinions and behaviors on sexual and reproductive health. Journal of Continuing Medical Education, 23(5), 46-57.
https://doi.org/10.17367/jacsd.2018.2.77
-
Duman, N. B., Yılmazel, G., Topuz, Ş., Başcı, A. B., Koçak, D. Y., & Büyükgönenç, L. (2015). Knowledge, attitudes and behaviors of university students regarding reproductive and sexual health. Yıldırım Beyazıt University Nursing E-Journal, 3(1), 19-32.
-
Gómez-Zapiaín, J., Ortiz Barón, M. J., & Eceiza Camarero, A. (2016). Disposición al riesgo en la actividad sexual de adolescentes: El rol de los modelos internos de apego, de las relaciones de apego con padres e iguales y de las dificultades de regulación emocional. Anales de Psicología, 32(3), 899–906.
https://doi.org/10.6018/analesps.32.3.221691
-
Gunta, M., Tantu, T., Wolka, S., Meskele, M., Ayza, A., & Duko, B. (2021). Sexual and reproductive health services utilization among Wolaita Sodo University students, Ethiopia: A mixed method approach. The Scientific World Journal, 2021(1), 2415023.
-
Hacettepe University Institute of Population Studies. (2018). Turkey Demographic and Health Survey 2018 (TDHS 2018): Main Report. Hacettepe University Institute of Population Studies.
-
Karabulutlu, Ö., & Kılıç, M. (2011). Determination of the knowledge levels of university students about sexual and reproductive health. Anatolian Journal of Nursing and Health Sciences, 14(2), 39-46.
-
Kocaman, O. (2017). Sociodemographic factors affecting the knowledge and thoughts of Izmir Katip Çelebi University students about reproductive health. Katip Çelebi University, Family Medicine Specialization Thesis.
Martínez-Vázquez, S., Hernández-Martínez, A., Peinado-Molina, R. A., & Martínez-Galiano, J. M. (2023). Nursing students' attitudes towards sexuality before training in sexual and reproductive health. Nursing Open, 10(10), 7038-7047.
-
Martins, S. L., Hellerstedt, W. L., Brady, S. S., & Mason, S. M. (2022). Sexual and reproductive health during international travel: Expectations and experiences among female university students. Journal of American College Health, 70(7), 2108-2115.
-
Mekbib, B., & Demissei, D. B. (2023). RETRACTED ARTICLE: Sexual reproductive health service utilization and associated factors among undergraduate students of Addis Ababa University in Ethiopia. Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition, 42(1), 21.
-
Monteiro, I. P., Azzi, C. F. G., Bilibio, J. P., Monteiro, P. S., Braga, G. C., & Nitz, N. (2023). Prevalence of sexually transmissible infections in adolescents treated in a family planning outpatient clinic for adolescents in the western Amazon. Plos One, 18(6), e0287633.
-
Mwamba, B., Mayers, P., & Shea, J. (2022). Sexual and reproductive health knowledge of postgraduate students at the University of Cape Town, in South Africa. Reproductive Health, 19(1), 225.
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12978-022-01507-6
-
Özcan, H., Kızılkaya Beji, N., Karadağ, A., & Emlik, K. (2016). Knowledge levels of university students regarding reproductive and sexual health. Journal of Continuing Medical Education, 23(5), 174-182.
-
Pavelová, Ľ., Archalousová, A., Slezáková, Z., Zrubcová, D., Solgajová, A., Spáčilová, Z., Krištofová, E., & Slamková, A. (2021). The need for nurse interventions in sex education in adolescents. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(2), 492. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18020492
-
Rowley, J., Vander Hoorn, S., Korenromp, E., Low, N., Unemo, M., Abu-Raddad, L. J., et al. (2019). Chlamydia, gonorrhoea, trichomoniasis and syphilis: Global prevalence and incidence estimates, 2016. Bulletin of the World Health Organization, 97(8), 548–562. https://doi.org/10.2471/BLT.18.228486
-
Sarı, C., Adıgüzel, L., & Demirbağ, B. C. (2023). Knowledge level of university students regarding family planning and sexually transmitted diseases. Turkish Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care, 17(1), 50-61.
-
Simegn, A., Azale, T., Addis, A., Dile, M., Ayalew, Y., & Minuye, B. (2020). Youth friendly sexual and reproductive health service utilization among high and preparatory school students in Debre Tabor town, Northwest Ethiopia: A cross-sectional study. Plos One, 15(9), e0237747.
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0240033
-
Turkish Statistical Institute. (2016). Türkiye Health Survey 2016. https://data.tuik.gov.tr/Bulten/Index?p=Turkey-Health-Survey-2016-24573
-
Ulu, N. K., Demir, H., Taşar, M. A., & Dallar, Y. B. (2014). Knowledge levels of adolescents about sexually transmitted diseases in a low socioeconomic level area in Ankara. Turkish Journal of Pediatric Diseases, 9(1), 32-38.
https://doi.org/10.12956/tjpd.2014.100
-
UNDP, UNFPA, UNICEF, WHO, World Bank Special Programme of Research. (2023). HRP Annual Report. Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction.
-
United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). (1994). International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD): Programme of Action. United Nations Population Fund.
-
Yıldırım, F., & Erbil, N. (2021). The knowledge level of university students in Türkiye about sexually transmitted diseases: A systematic review. Andrology Bulletin, 23(3).
Sağlık Bilimleri Fakültesinde Eğitim Alan Erkek Öğrencilerin Üreme Sağlığına İlişkin Bilgi Düzeyleri ve Farkındalıkları
Year 2025,
Volume: 14 Issue: 3, 546 - 555, 31.10.2025
Seçil Köken Durgun
,
Hülya Demirci
,
Huriye Akkale
Abstract
Amaç: Araştırma, sağlık bilimleri fakültesinde eğitim alan erkek öğrencilerin üreme sağlığına ilişkin bilgi düzeylerini ve farkındalıklarını belirlemek amacıyla yapılmıştır. Gereç ve Yöntem: Çalışma kesitsel tiptedir. Araştırmanın örneklemini bir devlet üniversitesinin sağlık bilimleri fakültesinde kayıtlı olan 313 erkek öğrenci oluşturmuştur. Araştırmanın verileri öğrencilerin üreme sağlığına ilişkin bilgi düzeyleri ve farkındalıklarını belirlemek üzere araştırmacılar tarafından literatür doğrultusunda hazırlanan anket formu kullanılarak toplanmıştır. Veriler, öğrencilerin etki altında kalmalarını önlemek ve veri güvenliğinin sağlanmak amacı ile opak zarf içerisinde dağıtılmış ve geriye yine opak zarfların içinde toplanmıştır. Verilerin analizinde sayı, yüzde ve ortalama değerleri kullanılmıştır. Bulgular: Araştırmaya katılan erkek öğrencilerinin yaş ortalaması 21.30 ± 2.18’dir. Öğrencilerin %31.6’sı birinci sınıftır. Öğrencilerin %75.4’ü cinsel sağlık ve üreme sağlığı ile ilgili bilgi düzeylerini yeterli bulmaktadır. Aile planlaması yöntemlerinden en fazla kondomu (%93.6) bildikleri bulunmuştur. Kondomun cinsel yolla bulaşan hastalıklardan koruduğunu bilenlerin oranı %93.0’dır. Öğrencilerin %15.0’ı cinsel sağlık ve üreme sağlığı ile ilgili daha önce hizmet aldığını, bunların %60.4’ü aldığı hizmetin bilgilendirme/eğitim şeklinde olduğunu belirtmiştir. Katılımcıların %92.3’ü cinsel yolla bulaşan hastalık varlığında eşlerin beraber tedavi edilmesi gerektiğini ifade etmiştir. Sonuç: Araştırma kapsamındaki erkek öğrencilerin üreme sağlığına ilişkin bilgi düzeyleri ve farkındalıklarının kabul edilebilir düzeyde olduğu söylenebilir. Gençlere yönelik üreme sağlığı eğitimlerinin yaygınlaştırılması, eğitimlerde daha az bilinen hastalıklara dikkat çekilmesi ve erkeklerin katılımına özen gösterilmesi önerilebilir.
References
-
Akalin, A. (2022). The effect of a reproductive health course on sexual myths, sexual attitudes and gender perceptions among university students. The European Journal of Contraception & Reproductive Health Care, 27(4), 330-334.https://doi.org/10.1080/13625187.2022.2045934
-
Akman, O., Raol, Y. H., Auvin, S., Cortez, M. A., Kubova, H., de Curtis, M., et al. (2018). Methodologic recommendations and possible interpretations of video-EEG recordings in immature rodents used as experimental controls: A TASK1-WG2 report of the ILAE/AES Joint Translational Task Force. Epilepsia Open, 3(4), 437–459. https://doi.org/10.1002/epi4.12262
-
Aslan, E., Bektaş, H., Başgöl, Ş., Demir, S., & Vural, P. I. (2014). Knowledge levels and behaviors of university students regarding sexual health. Journal of Continuing Medical Education, 23(5), 174-182.
Carolan, M. (2013). Maternal age ≥45 years and maternal and perinatal outcomes: A review of the evidence. Midwifery, 29(5), 479–489.
-
Commonwealth Secretariat. (2016). Global Youth Development Index and Report 2016. Commonwealth Secretariat. https://www.thecommonwealth-ilibrary.org/index.php/comsec/catalog/book/1119
-
Coşkun, N. (2019). Determination of factors affecting the sexual health seeking behavior of university youth (Master's thesis, Eskişehir Osmangazi University, Institute of Health Sciences, Department of Nursing).
-
Dalkıran, Y. (2019). Students’ knowledge levels and behaviors about sexual health, reproductive health and emergency contraception. Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam University Faculty of Medicine Specialization Thesis.
Dinç, A., Söğüt, S., & Cangöl, E. (2018). University students' knowledge, opinions and behaviors on sexual and reproductive health. Journal of Continuing Medical Education, 23(5), 46-57.
https://doi.org/10.17367/jacsd.2018.2.77
-
Duman, N. B., Yılmazel, G., Topuz, Ş., Başcı, A. B., Koçak, D. Y., & Büyükgönenç, L. (2015). Knowledge, attitudes and behaviors of university students regarding reproductive and sexual health. Yıldırım Beyazıt University Nursing E-Journal, 3(1), 19-32.
-
Gómez-Zapiaín, J., Ortiz Barón, M. J., & Eceiza Camarero, A. (2016). Disposición al riesgo en la actividad sexual de adolescentes: El rol de los modelos internos de apego, de las relaciones de apego con padres e iguales y de las dificultades de regulación emocional. Anales de Psicología, 32(3), 899–906.
https://doi.org/10.6018/analesps.32.3.221691
-
Gunta, M., Tantu, T., Wolka, S., Meskele, M., Ayza, A., & Duko, B. (2021). Sexual and reproductive health services utilization among Wolaita Sodo University students, Ethiopia: A mixed method approach. The Scientific World Journal, 2021(1), 2415023.
-
Hacettepe University Institute of Population Studies. (2018). Turkey Demographic and Health Survey 2018 (TDHS 2018): Main Report. Hacettepe University Institute of Population Studies.
-
Karabulutlu, Ö., & Kılıç, M. (2011). Determination of the knowledge levels of university students about sexual and reproductive health. Anatolian Journal of Nursing and Health Sciences, 14(2), 39-46.
-
Kocaman, O. (2017). Sociodemographic factors affecting the knowledge and thoughts of Izmir Katip Çelebi University students about reproductive health. Katip Çelebi University, Family Medicine Specialization Thesis.
Martínez-Vázquez, S., Hernández-Martínez, A., Peinado-Molina, R. A., & Martínez-Galiano, J. M. (2023). Nursing students' attitudes towards sexuality before training in sexual and reproductive health. Nursing Open, 10(10), 7038-7047.
-
Martins, S. L., Hellerstedt, W. L., Brady, S. S., & Mason, S. M. (2022). Sexual and reproductive health during international travel: Expectations and experiences among female university students. Journal of American College Health, 70(7), 2108-2115.
-
Mekbib, B., & Demissei, D. B. (2023). RETRACTED ARTICLE: Sexual reproductive health service utilization and associated factors among undergraduate students of Addis Ababa University in Ethiopia. Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition, 42(1), 21.
-
Monteiro, I. P., Azzi, C. F. G., Bilibio, J. P., Monteiro, P. S., Braga, G. C., & Nitz, N. (2023). Prevalence of sexually transmissible infections in adolescents treated in a family planning outpatient clinic for adolescents in the western Amazon. Plos One, 18(6), e0287633.
-
Mwamba, B., Mayers, P., & Shea, J. (2022). Sexual and reproductive health knowledge of postgraduate students at the University of Cape Town, in South Africa. Reproductive Health, 19(1), 225.
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12978-022-01507-6
-
Özcan, H., Kızılkaya Beji, N., Karadağ, A., & Emlik, K. (2016). Knowledge levels of university students regarding reproductive and sexual health. Journal of Continuing Medical Education, 23(5), 174-182.
-
Pavelová, Ľ., Archalousová, A., Slezáková, Z., Zrubcová, D., Solgajová, A., Spáčilová, Z., Krištofová, E., & Slamková, A. (2021). The need for nurse interventions in sex education in adolescents. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(2), 492. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18020492
-
Rowley, J., Vander Hoorn, S., Korenromp, E., Low, N., Unemo, M., Abu-Raddad, L. J., et al. (2019). Chlamydia, gonorrhoea, trichomoniasis and syphilis: Global prevalence and incidence estimates, 2016. Bulletin of the World Health Organization, 97(8), 548–562. https://doi.org/10.2471/BLT.18.228486
-
Sarı, C., Adıgüzel, L., & Demirbağ, B. C. (2023). Knowledge level of university students regarding family planning and sexually transmitted diseases. Turkish Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care, 17(1), 50-61.
-
Simegn, A., Azale, T., Addis, A., Dile, M., Ayalew, Y., & Minuye, B. (2020). Youth friendly sexual and reproductive health service utilization among high and preparatory school students in Debre Tabor town, Northwest Ethiopia: A cross-sectional study. Plos One, 15(9), e0237747.
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0240033
-
Turkish Statistical Institute. (2016). Türkiye Health Survey 2016. https://data.tuik.gov.tr/Bulten/Index?p=Turkey-Health-Survey-2016-24573
-
Ulu, N. K., Demir, H., Taşar, M. A., & Dallar, Y. B. (2014). Knowledge levels of adolescents about sexually transmitted diseases in a low socioeconomic level area in Ankara. Turkish Journal of Pediatric Diseases, 9(1), 32-38.
https://doi.org/10.12956/tjpd.2014.100
-
UNDP, UNFPA, UNICEF, WHO, World Bank Special Programme of Research. (2023). HRP Annual Report. Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction.
-
United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). (1994). International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD): Programme of Action. United Nations Population Fund.
-
Yıldırım, F., & Erbil, N. (2021). The knowledge level of university students in Türkiye about sexually transmitted diseases: A systematic review. Andrology Bulletin, 23(3).