Knowledge, awareness and attitude about reproductive health among high school students

Chrystella Miol

Abstract

In the realm of adolescent development, high school students navigate self-discovery, forming knowledge, awareness, and attitude particularly in reproductive health. A comprehensive reproductive health education is required for informed choices and responsible behaviour. In Malaysia, statistics indicate a growing number of sexual reproductive issues among adolescents. Therefore, this study aims to explore high school students' knowledge, awareness, and attitude about reproductive health and factor correlates with students’ understanding about reproductive health the most (parents or school). This study utilized a quantitative approach (survey study) to achieve its objective involving 116 respondents from SMK. Narinang, Kota Belud, Sabah. Descriptive data interpretation and Pearson correlation were employed in this study. The study found prominent level of knowledge (mean = 4.52) but moderate level of awareness (mean = 3.91) and attitude (mean = 3.86) in high school students. Despite a high correlation between school and parents, the school demonstrated a higher correlation coefficient (school r = 0.77; parents r = 0.67). Overall, the study shows a prominent level of understanding about reproductive health among high school students but low understanding on contraceptive method. Both school and parents have a high correlation on the students’ knowledge, awareness, and attitude. However, the school possess a greater correlation on the students’ understanding about reproductive health. In conclusion, this research provides a foundation for further investigations into factors shaping adolescents' perspectives on reproductive health in diverse settings.

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