An Exploratory Study of Reproductive Health Awareness and Information Seeking Behavior Among Saudi Female Students

Abstract

Objective: To explore sexual reproduction-related awareness and knowledge, information-seeking behavior, and related information resources needed among Saudi female students. Study Design: Descriptive cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in King Faisal University, Al Ahsa Saudi Arabia from 1 September 2023 to 20 November 2023. Materials and Methods: A questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was conducted at King Faisal University Saudi Arabia. A sample of 328 preparatory-year female students was evaluated on reproductive health awareness through a randomized sampling method. Data was cleaned in Excel and Analyzed in IBM SPSS 29. Results: The study involved 328 female students and highlights significant findings in reproductive health awareness. Notably, 26.2% (85) experienced irregular menstrual cycles, 99.1% (325) used sanitary pads, and 78.4% (257) and 41.2% (135) discussed their first period, primarily with mothers. TV (17.1%) and news (16.2%) were the primary sources of reproductive health information while 93.9% (307) had contraceptive knowledge, and 84.5% (277) understood reasons for use. Challenges in obtaining information included uncertainty (30.6%) and shame (29.1%). Preferences included information on reproductive/sexual health (21.1%) and sexual/premarital preparation classes (18.3%). The educational status of fathers significantly correlated with sexual and reproductive health awareness and knowledge (p=0.040). Conclusion: The study revealed gaps in female preparatory year students' awareness of reproductive health. It underscores the importance of enhancing the accessibility of reproductive health knowledge resources and improving communication channels with parents to attain first-hand appropriate knowledge of reproductive health.

Keywords

• awareness
• adolescent health
• parental role
• sexual and reproductive health.