Knowledge, attitudes and practices on sexual and reproductive health issues of students at university of Nairobi

Abstract

Objective: To investigate factors associated with occurrence of unwanted pregnancies and uptake of sexual and reproductive health information and services.
Design: Cross sectional descriptive
Setting: Students’ hostels University of Nairobi.
Subjects or participants: Students of University of Nairobi.
Interventions: Focus group discussion
Main outcome measures: Health issues; Unwanted pregnancies; Information on RH and abortion.
Results and conclusion: On health problems, STIs, HIV/AIDS, alcohol and drug abuse were mentioned. On unwanted pregnancies, these were common and were generally terminated. Methods of termination mentioned included drinking concentrated tea leaves and other concoctions, overdosing with tablets from the chemist and taking misoprostol. On information on RH and abortion the requested information was on sexuality and not abortion. On sources of the information, the university clinic and academic sources were mentioned. On persons providing information and support to students, student leaders, the university clinic and lecturers were the preferred. Main barriers to receiving information from the school clinic included negative attitudes and poor practices of nurses. An assessment of the health problems facing the students be done and services structured to be responsive to the problems. Multidisciplinary fora for discussing sexual and reproductive health matters be set up. A retraining and reorientation of university health workers in particular the nurses be done periodically