The knowledge related to reproductive health in a selected sample of student population attending the medical centre of University of Sri Jayewardenepura

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INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: To describe the knowledge about reproductive health of students of the University of Sri Jayawardanepura. METHOD: A cross sectional descriptive study was carxl out among 450 students, following study courses during 2014 and 2015. Data were collected by a self-administered, anonymous and pre-tested questionnaire. Students completed the questionnaires on arrival for a consultation on a voluntary basis. All completed questionnaires were collected in a sealed box. RESULTS: The response was 73.5% (331/450). M:F ratio 1:2.09 . Most respondents did not have correct knowledge on puberty. Knowledge differed according to the source of information; informal source was associated with misinformation, while medical and informational sources were associated with better knowledge. Of the respondents, 46(21.1 %) reported having sexual intercourse before marriage; 36 males and 10 females. Most had not used any method (60.6%) to prevent conception or Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD). 12.1% used condoms and 12.1 % used emergency contraceptive pill. General level of awareness of emergency contraceptive pills vas 32.3% (107/331). Misinformation regarding contraceptive methods was high. However, 4 students (16.6%) had used emergency contraceptive pills themselves or had a partner who had used them. The majority of students (57%) did not know symptoms of STD. CONCLUSION: Results indicated that 20.3% of the university students are sexually active and their knowledge about reproductive health was not satisfactory. Therefore, it is important to design programs to increase the knowledge of reproductive health and HIV prevention strategies that target university students at the University of Sri Jayawardenepura 1 University Medical Officer, University of Sri Jayewardenepura 2 Computer Applications Assistant and Data Analyst Dept, of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura. Sri Lanka.