Kalam, Iftekhar (2023) Assessing the Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Sexual and Reproductive Health among Undergraduate Students in Bangladesh. Doctoral thesis, University of West London.

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Abstract

Lack of knowledge, inappropriate attitudes and poor behavioural practices associated to sexual
and reproductive health can lead to negative consequences that can affect individuals, families,
and communities. Some common effects include but not limited to unintended pregnancy,
sexually transmitted infections, unsafe abortion, poor pregnancy outcome, gender-based
violence and negative mental health consequences. The state of limited knowledge, negative
attitudes, and corresponding behavioural practices regarding sexual and reproductive health
issues has been identified by studies conducted in Bangladesh. These findings are applicable
across various segments of society, regardless of age, gender, marital status, educational
background, or other relevant social factors. The undergraduate university students in
Bangladesh are typically in the age range of late adolescence to mid-twenties. This is the time
after puberty when individuals experience extensive physical and cognitive transformations,
changes in nature of social engagement and become sexually active. The unique characteristics
of the different difficulties and susceptibilities faced when dealing with sexual and reproductive
health matters as young adults by the undergraduate university students of Bangladesh have
not been thoroughly investigated. The objective of this cross-sectional study is to gather
information to improve understanding of the existing level of knowledge, health-seeking
behaviour, attitudes and typical practices of university students in respect to sexual and
reproductive health. Also, considering the recent increase in on-campus sexual harassment
incidents in universities of Bangladesh, this study investigated students' experiences of on�campus sexual harassment and associated administrative readiness to address such issue.
Information was collected from the undergraduate university students using structured
questionnaire using google form. Exponential non-discriminative snowball sampling was
adopted to reach out required number of sampling units. The study indicated that parents and
siblings communicate about SRH difficulties poorly. A large majority of pre-university
students did not have access to the formal SRH programme. Despite socioeconomic origins,
pre-university education backgrounds, and university types, the understanding of STI names,
symptoms, and transmission methods remained limited. Young undergraduates often date
despite religious and social conventions. A large percentage of respondents reported sexual
activity in their relationships. Sexual harassment occurred on campus in both private and public
universities. Three-fourths of on-campus sexual harassment victims did not report the
occurrence, largely because they distrusted university authority. The study attempted to
identify sociodemographic variables that affect the university students' SRH knowledge,
attitudes, and practices.

Item Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Identifier:	10.36828/xvqy2137
Subjects:	Medicine and health > Primary health
Depositing User:	Marc Forster
Date Deposited:	04 Jul 2024 09:04
Last Modified:	04 Nov 2024 11:33
URI:	https://repository.uwl.ac.uk/id/eprint/12137

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