ISSN: 2161-038X
+44 1300 500008
Bupe Mwamba
University of Cape Town, South Africa
Posters & Accepted Abstracts: Reprod Syst Sex Disord
Sexual and reproductive health (SRH) addresses the reproductive progressions, roles and structures at all stages of life and implies that people are able to have responsible, satisfying and safe sex lives, and ��?the capability to reproduce and the freedom to decide if, when and how often they do so��?. However, there is limited published information about SRH knowledge among postgraduate students worldwide and South Africa to be specific; therefore, it is an area which requires further studies. The purpose of this study is to determine SRH knowledge of postgraduate students at university of Cape Town (UCT). Data on SRH knowledge among university students may be important for effective planning of educational programmes at the university. In this study reproductive health will focus on postgraduate students��? knowledge with regards to contraceptives, STIs/HIV & AIDS, breast examination and pap smears. Globally, studies have shown that many university students engage in sexual relationships because the university environment, especially for students who have left home for the first time, opens up opportunities for young students to enjoy their new found freedom away from the norms, values, and restrictions of the family home. The focus of these studies was on undergraduate students only. This level of freedom is however often accompanied by experimentation that could lead to risk-taking particularly with regard to sexual behaviour. In African societies, the current generation of university student��?s transition between the sociocultural norms of largely traditional societies, and new possibilities and experiences outside of the societies in which they were raised.
Email: bpmumbi@yahoo.com