Document Type : Original Research Article
Authors
1
Associate Professor, Molecular Biology Research & Studies Institute, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
2
a) Professor, Department of Genetics, Faculty of Agriculture, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt b) Molecular Biology Research & Studies Institute, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
3
a) Professor, Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt b) Molecular Biology Research & Studies Institute, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
10.22038/jmrh.2025.81159.2438
Abstract
Background & aim: Reproductive health reflects the health of young people throughout adolescence and adulthood; thus, it is critical to address their reproductive health needs and concerns. This study aimed to assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards reproductive health and associated factors among university youth in Yemen.
Methods: A cross-sectional study including 576 male and female students was undertaken. Participants were selected using a simple random sampling, and data were collected using a self-structured and self-administered questionnaire. Chi-square test, and a logistic regression model were used to identify factors associated with university students’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices about reproductive health.
Results: The average age of participants was 21.7 years, and 54.9% were male. The study reported that 55.9%, 46.2%, and 73.3% of youth had poor knowledge, negative attitudes, and unsatisfactory practices towards reproductive health services, respectively. Females had a higher odd of having knowledge, positive attitudes, and practices [(AOR= 2.379; 95% CI: 1.591 - 3.558; P =0.001), (AOR= 2.399; 95% CI: 1.613 - 3.569; P =0.001), and (AOR= 1.501; 95% CI: 1.033 - 2.181; P =0.033, respectively)]. Marriage, urban residence, and independence were associated with increased knowledge, positive attitudes, and satisfactory practices.
Conclusion: The majority of participants demonstrated poor knowledge, negative attitudes, and unsatisfactory practices regarding reproductive health services, highlighting a significant gap in this population. Gender, marriage, urban residence, and independence emerged as key positive determinants. These findings underscore the urgent need for targeted educational interventions, particularly for male, unmarried, and rural-dwelling students, to improve reproductive health outcomes among university youth.
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