Youth and how the community responses to reproductive health and sexuality in developing country.
Joshi, Shambhu *,1, Pandit, Naresh , Bk, Shyam, Bhandari, Rajan , 1 Nepal medical college and teaching hospital, Kathmandu, Bagmati, Nepal
ABSTRACT- Issues: Like many developing countries, Nepal has facing difficult problem to youth knowledge, awareness, behavior and attitude on their reproductive health and sexuality.But, on the other hand, today's nepalese youths are more tolerant toward premarital sexual relations. The youth reproductive health services is then directed to assist youth to possess knowledge, awareness, behavior and attitude of responsible reproductive health through promotion by information, education, and communication, counseling, services for youths particularly those with particular problems, and supporting positive activities for youths. Methods: This paper aims to examine the result of the youth reproductive health services in nepal through explore the realty of their knowledge, awareness, behavior, and attitude of sexual and reproductive health from 2002 to mid 2004. To examine this reality this paper using the data from the Survey of High Risk Behavior of Adolescent Including Sexuality and HIV/AIDS Prevention with Implication on Reproductive Health which interviewed 4156 youths in 5 districts; 310 school and colleges. The data were edited and anaysed by EPI info software program. Results: The summary of the result found that the reality of the knowledge, awareness, behavior, and attitude of sexual and reproductive health is still low. For the knowledge of reproductive health: most (53,6 percent) do not know basic meaning of reproduction, 78 percent of female in rural do not know the cycle of menstruation period, 64.8 percent never discussed reproductive health and even, 51 percent never discussed it with family, and 64.6 percent didn't getting family planning lesson. But, on the other hand, there are 49.1 percent kissing, 45.8 percent embracing/hugging, and 2.6 percent having sexual intercourse during dating. conclusion: This reality implicated on enhancing effort to create and promote more attractive program in informing sexuality and reproductive health information and launching friendly service concern to the youth. Conflict resolution, critical thinking, life skills, decision making and communication, improves their self confidence and ability to make informed choices such as postponing sex until they mature. Parents, families, community, national policy are critical in guiding and supporting young people to make safe choices about their health and well being. Studies has shown from mass media that consistent, positive, emotional connection with caring adult help young people feel safe and secure, allowing them to develop the resiliency needed to manage the changes in their lives without social stigma denial, and discrimination.
Key words: youth, sexuality, health, developing country, gender