Level of Awareness on Reproductive Health and Agreement on Misconceptions about Sex among Second Year High School Students in La Trinidad, Benguet

Abstract

Awareness of high school students regarding reproductive health and the correction of their misconceptions regarding sex is a foundation to have a healthy and happy reproductive life. This study is then conducted to help students be equipped in preparation towards adulthood. The study was conducted to determine level of awareness on Reproductive Health among second year high school students in La Trinidad. It aimed to figure out the level of awareness on reproductive health of second year high school students in La Trinidad, Benguet on nature of reproductive health, puberty, contraception; to determine the difference of the level of awareness on reproductive health regarding sex, religious affiliation, socioeconomic status, parents’ level of education; and to determine the level of agreement of respondents on misconceptions about sex considering physical, mental, social, and emotional aspects. This study was conducted at BSU-Laboratory School and Benguet National High School from November 2011-January 2012 having the second-year high school students as respondents. Simple random sampling was used to select the respondents. A total of 75 second year students actively participated in the study. The statistical tools used were weighted mean, T-test and ANOVA.

Based on the findings of the study, the students were moderately aware on reproductive health and puberty but in terms of contraception they were slightly aware. Accordingly, the students were moderately aware when sex, religious affiliation, socioeconomic status, parents’ level of education are considered. Meanwhile, the students disagree on the misconceptions about sex related to physical, social, emotional, and mental aspects. The students’ awareness on reproductive health varies from slightly to moderately aware. First, the students are moderately aware on the changes regarding reproductive health such as on nature of reproductive health, contraception and puberty; second, the students level of awareness on reproductive health stands to be moderate and there is a significant difference on the nature of reproductive health in terms of sex and religious affiliation as compared to socio-economic status and parents’ level of education, Finally, there is no significant difference regarding contraception except in terms of socioeconomic status; third, the students’ level of agreement in regards of the misconceptions on sex, shows results that they are uncertain when social aspects was considered. Thus the hypothesis asserting that the level of agreement of the respondents on the misconceptions about sex on the level of uncertainty is accepted in the social aspect and thereby rejected for the physical, mental and emotional aspect. Based on the findings and conclusions of the study, the following recommendations are hereby forwarded. Although the respondents are satisfactory aware of reproductive health, they still need to further enhance their awareness regarding contraception by means of including lectures in their subjects covering health. As such, to the school institution like Benguet State University, the study will serve as a basis and guide in disseminating information on reproductive health among students. On the other hand, health care providers should help disseminate information regarding reproductive health to increase the students’ level of awareness and correct misconceptions. Intensive campaign regarding reproductive health is also imperative especially for the young high school students since they are still considered as a risk group pregnancy; and lastly, encouragement of the respondents to further enhance their awareness regarding reproductive health specifically in contraception is highly recommended.