MEN AS PARTNERS IN REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH

The study sought to examine the knowledge, attitudes and practices of male university students, in relation to their sexual and reproductive health. A sample of 400 men (between the ages of 18 to 45) from a population of 693 males at the University of West Indies (Mona Campus, Jamaica) was selected randomly, however only 273 were retained in the final sample. The study utilised quantitative and qualitative data derived from surveys and focus group interviews respectively. Among the major findings, a large proportion of men in the sample (40%) highlighted that they gained information about sexual and reproductive health from the mass media. Younger men in the 18 to 25 age group (40%) also highlighted that HIV/AIDS was the health problem that they had the greatest concern. However, older men (26 to 45 years), compared to younger men, reported that they discussed issues of sexual and reproductive health with their sexual partners. Majority of men also cited that they make regular visits to health facilities to receive health examinations. In relation to safe sex practices, condom use was highlighted as the most popular family planning method among men (44%)...... Mehr