Knowledge of reproductive health rights and its associated factors among Wolkite University undergraduate students, Wolkite, southern Ethiopia

Objective: Reproductive health (RH) rights are the rights of all persons, regardless of age, sex, or other traits, and they have the freedom to make decisions about their sexuality and RH. However, there is limited information about Ethiopians’ understanding of RH rights. Because little is known about the degree of knowledge and relevant predictors in the study area, this study was carried out to fill in the gaps.

Methods: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted from 3 January to 25 January 2021 G.C to determine the knowledge level of RH rights and its associated factors among Wolkite University undergraduate medical students. The minimum estimated sample size was computed by using the simple population proportion formula of 95% confidence interval (CI), with 5% of marginal error, which was 318 students. The students were stratified based on their academic year and department. Each student was selected from each department by using the simple random sampling method based on their ID numbers. Data were collected by using a pre-tested, structured self-administered questionnaire. Epi Info version 3.5.1 was used for data coding, entering, and cleaning, and then the data were exported to Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23 for advanced analysis. The associated factors were identified by performing analysis for bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses.

Results: More than half (56.33%) of the participants were knowledgeable about reproductive and sexual rights and participated in RH clubs (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 2.94, 95% CI: 1.46, 5.91). The paternal educational level (AOR: 2.89, 95% CI: 1.34, 5.65) had an association with the knowledge of reproductive health rights.

Conclusions: The students’ knowledge regarding reproductive and sexual rights was found to be little. The Ethiopia Ministry of Education has to include reproductive and sexual rights in the curriculum of high school and higher institution studies.