Health Literacy and Knowledge of Female Reproduction in Male and Female Undergraduate Students
Submission Type
Event
Faculty Advisor
Ann Eckhardt
Expected Graduation Date
2018
Location
Room E101, Center for Natural Sciences, Illinois Wesleyan University
Start Date
4-21-2018 10:00 AM
End Date
4-21-2018 11:00 AM
Disciplines
Education
Abstract
Adequate health literacy is essential for making informed decisions about reproductive health. Unfortunately, few studies have examined the relationship between health literacy and knowledge of female reproductive health. The purpose of this study is to examine the correlation between health literacy and knowledge of basic female reproduction, contraception, and sexually transmitted infections (STI), while also considering factors that may influence knowledge such as gender, sexual experience, and type of previous sex education. The Knowledge of the Female Body (KFB) scale, the Newest Vital Sign (NVS) health literacy tool, questions about STI prevention and questions about students’ sexual history were distributed to students at a small Midwestern university. Ninety-five percent of the participants (N = 323) demonstrated adequate health literacy. NVS and KFB scores were positively correlated, r = .200, p = <0.01. Approximately 96% of participants agreed that knowing when ovulation is most likely to occur can help to plan or prevent pregnancy, but only 71.5 % of participants correctly identified the time in the cycle when ovulation usually occurs. In addition, over 58% of participants could not identify the length of time sperm live in a woman’s body. Although most students demonstrated adequate literacy, major gaps exist in the reproductive knowledge of both male and female undergraduate students. Educational programs to improve health literacy and knowledge of female reproduction are needed to prepare young people to make informed decisions about reproductive health.
Health Literacy and Knowledge of Female Reproduction in Male and Female Undergraduate Students
Room E101, Center for Natural Sciences, Illinois Wesleyan University
Adequate health literacy is essential for making informed decisions about reproductive health. Unfortunately, few studies have examined the relationship between health literacy and knowledge of female reproductive health. The purpose of this study is to examine the correlation between health literacy and knowledge of basic female reproduction, contraception, and sexually transmitted infections (STI), while also considering factors that may influence knowledge such as gender, sexual experience, and type of previous sex education. The Knowledge of the Female Body (KFB) scale, the Newest Vital Sign (NVS) health literacy tool, questions about STI prevention and questions about students’ sexual history were distributed to students at a small Midwestern university. Ninety-five percent of the participants (N = 323) demonstrated adequate health literacy. NVS and KFB scores were positively correlated, r = .200, p = <0.01. Approximately 96% of participants agreed that knowing when ovulation is most likely to occur can help to plan or prevent pregnancy, but only 71.5 % of participants correctly identified the time in the cycle when ovulation usually occurs. In addition, over 58% of participants could not identify the length of time sperm live in a woman’s body. Although most students demonstrated adequate literacy, major gaps exist in the reproductive knowledge of both male and female undergraduate students. Educational programs to improve health literacy and knowledge of female reproduction are needed to prepare young people to make informed decisions about reproductive health.