The most preferred reproductive health topics among youth in Lithuania

Abstract

Aim. To determine the most preferred reproductive health topics among youth in Lithuania and to identify the most attractive sources of information.

Methods. The original questionnaire was distributed by e-mail and Facebook social network to the students councils of 20 Lithuanian universities and 23 colleges. 762 responses were reviewed, the data of 742 (97,4%) questionnaires were analized. 20 questionnaires were excluded, as they did not match the inclusion criteria – the responders had to be 15 – 29 years old. The questionnaire had 5 questions, setting the age, gender, social status, the most preferred reproductive health topic and the most attractive source of information. The data of n=107 (14,42 %) males and n=635 (85,58 %) females were analyzed. n=131 (17,65 %) of the respondents were after the graduation, the others were still studying (n=611; 82,35 %). All the respondents were divided into three groups: 15-19, 20-24, 25-29 years old, n=81 (10,91 %), n=538 (72,50 %) and n=123 (16,59 %), respectively. The data were analysed using “SPSS 23.0” and Microsoft Excel programs. The statistical significance between sub-groups was determined using Chi-square test and Z test. P < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.

Results. The males were significantly more often interested in the „visit to the urologist“, while the females in the topics „visit to the gynaecologist“, „pregnancy“, „childbirth“, „breastfeeding“, „menstruations“, „contraceptives“, „human papilloma virus infection“, „sexually transmitted diseases“ (p<0,05). Where was no statistically significant difference between the gender and the following subjects: human anatomy and physiology, abortion, infertility and sexual harassment. The most interesting topic to the youngest age groups was “contraceptives”, while the age group of 25- 29 years was more interested in “pregnancy” (p>0,05). The most convenient and attractive way to get the information for females was “short lectures”, for males – “educational films”(p<0,001). The most convenient way to get the information for highschool or university students, males and the age group of 20-24 years was “educational films”, while for females, the age group of 15-19 years and students of highschool or university – short lectures (p<0,05). For respondents who had finished their education and the age group of 25-29 years the most acceptable way to get the information was a discussion in special website (p<0,05).

Conclusions. The only topic the males were interested about was „the visit to the urologist“. The age group of 25-29 years was more interested in pregnancy, while the other ones in contraception. Males wanted to get the information by educational films, while females by short lectures. Post graduated and the oldest respondents wanted to get the information by discussion in special internet website.