Aspects of adolescent reproductive health in the Republic of Srpska

• Published in: Scripta Medica (English Edition) Vol. 47; no. 1; pp. 58 - 62
• Main Authors: Telebak Daniela, Babić Nenad V., Radić Dobriša, Milić-Radić Tanja, Đukić Dario
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Medical Society of the Republic of Srpska, Banja Luka, University of Banja Luka. Faculty of Medicine 01.01.2016
• Subjects: adolescents; attitudes; awareness; reproductive health
• ISSN: 2490-3329; 2303-7954

Introduction. Results of numerous researches have shown that adolescents are not well informed about reproductive health. Aim of the study. Inquire awareness and attitudes of adolescents in relation to reproductive health. Patients and methods. The research was designed as a section study and it included 2.635 high school age adolescents from eight regions in the Republic of Srpska. Data on level of awareness and attitudes of adolescents about reproductive health were obtained by a questionnaire - survey. Methods of descriptive statistics were used for describing the sample group and x2 test and non-parametric Fisher’s test were used for establishing statistical significance of differences. Results. When it comes to reproductive health awareness of adolescents, girls are more informed (80%) than boys (20%). About 11% of questioned adolescent are familiar with three contraceptive methods and 25% are familiar with two methods. The largest number of young people (55%) is familiar with only one contraceptive method. Every third adolescent is familiar with syphilis, every sixth is familiar with hepatitis and every tenth is familiar with gonorrhea. Conclusion. The results obtained in this study indicate the need for more intensive implementation of educational programmes in the field of reproductive health among adolescents in the Republic of Srpska.