Date of Award

12-2023

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

MS in Epidemiology & Biostatistics

First Advisor

Dr. Sarah Saleem

Second Advisor

Mr. Syed Iqbal Azam

Third Advisor

Dr. Shiyam Sunder

Department

Community Health Sciences

Abstract

Introduction: Deprivation of Sexual and Reproductive needs of adolescent has become a public health problem. Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health (ASRH) encompasses their physical and emotional wellbeing. This includes their ability to avoid unwanted pregnancies, unsafe abortions, Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI’s) including Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), and any type of sexual violence and coercion. However, all these risk can be effectively prevented by adequate knowledge, positive attitude, and positive practices.
Objectives: The objectives of this study were to estimate the mean scores of knowledge, attitude, and practices, and to identify the factors associated with knowledge, attitude, and practices related to HIV, STI, family planning and pregnancy among adolescents aged 14-19 years in rural, Thatta.
Methods: This study was an analytical cross sectional study and multistage cluster sampling was employed to obtain a representative sample from district Thatta. A total 632 adolescents aged 14-19 years residing in selected villages of Thatta, Gharo, and, Jungshahi, who met the defined criteria of eligibility, and assented/consented to participate, were included in this study. The association between socio-demographic factors and knowledge, attitude, and practices were assessed using a modified version of “Asking Young People about Sexual and Reproductive Behaviors” tool. The statistical analysis was carried out on Stata 15.0 using two independent sample t-test and multiple linear regression following a design based approach for complex data analysis.
Results: Out of 632 adolescents participated in this study, 82.7% were females and 17.2% were males. There was no statistically significant difference in the mean scores of knowledge and attitude between males and females. However a difference of 0.13 (0.005 0.24) in practices scores was Page 6 of 108 observed between male and female adolescents. This indicated that male adolescents had slightly higher mean score of practices compared to female adolescents (p value 0.04). Marital status (ꞵ 5.13; 95% CI 1.34, 8.91), and father’s occupation (ꞵ 3.41; 95% CI 0.90, 5.93) were significantly associated with adolescents knowledge. Household income (ꞵ -2.36; 95% CI -4.64, -0.07), father’s occupation (ꞵ -1.42; 95% CI -2.52, -0.33), marital status (ꞵ 1.34; 95% CI 0.82, 1.86), and mother’s education level (ꞵ -1.41; 95% CI -2.71, -0.11) were significantly associated with adolescents attitude. Moreover, marital status (ꞵ 0.24; 95% CI 0.06, 0.41), and mother’s occupation (ꞵ 0.64; 95% CI 0.38, 0.90) were significantly associated with adolescents practice at a p value < 0.05. Additionally, a statistically significant interaction was found between gender and education level of adolescent in knowledge, attitude, and practice with a p value < 0.1.
Conclusion: The findings highlighted no gender disparity in knowledge and attitude of adolescents. Both genders exhibited low mean scores of knowledge and, attitude related to Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH). The study also highlighted the important socio-demographic factors associated with adolescents KAP. Given these findings, it is important to conduct life skill based programs revolving around the spheres of ASRH within communities and parent adolescent communication in the rural areas of Thatta, targeting both male and female adolescents. These programs will enhance their knowledge, ultimately influencing their attitudes and practices concerning their SRH

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Last Page

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