EXPLORING THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH AWARENESS, ATTITUDE AND SEXUAL PRACTICES AMONG COLLEGE STUDENTS: A CASE STUDY FROM DISTRICT KASUR

Abstract

This study examines the association between sexual and reproductive health literacy awareness and sexual practices among unmarried male Youth (15-24 years of age) from District Kasur, Pakistan. Data was randomly collected from the Youth (N=457) attending public sector educational institutes/government colleges. A self-administered questionnaire containing questions on sexual and reproductive health awareness and sexual practices was used for data collection. The descriptive analysis was carried out using SPSS software, and correlation analysis was used to explore the association between sexual and reproductive health awareness and sexual practices. The majority of the respondents in the samples (85%) had no sexual activity, and the rest were involved in premarital sex activity (15%). A significant number of respondents who were sex (67%) had sex without a condom, and only one-third (33%) of these respondents reported using condoms. The respondents, in general, have poor awareness regarding symptoms of a sexually transmitted disease and family planning methods except condoms. There was a significant positive relationship between sexual health and reproductive awareness, attitudes and sexual health practices. The results are suggested to be useful references for the youth while improving sexual and reproductive health services through better public health interventions.