Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Students towards Their Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights in Tertiary Institutions: A Case Study of Bulawayo Polytechnic

Abstract

Reproductive Rights were initially officially recognized at the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) in Cairo in 1994.This study sought to determine the level of knowledge, attitudes and practices of students towards their Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR). A descriptive survey design was used and random stratified sampling was done to get a sample from the population of all National Certificate, National Diploma and Higher National Diploma Bulawayo Polytechnic students. Focus group discussions were done with the first year students in Applied Art, Applied Science, Automotive and Mechanical divisions. Two questionnaires were designed and employed to gather data for the study from students and heads of divisions. A descriptive analysis using SPSS was used to give data more meaning. The study revealed that there is no policy framework on SRHR in higher education institutions and students need information and guidance on SRHR during their study duration in the institution. Due to the fact that there is no policy framework of SRHR, the knowledge levels are low among students at Bulawayo Polytechnic. Students express ambivalent attitudes due to low knowledge levels. The students indicated that at one point or the other their sexual and reproductive rights were infringed and they did not report the matter. Students are aware of their right to sexual and reproductive health but they lack skills to exercise the right. The researcher recommends that the institutions should have an SRHR policy to fight and empower both male and female students from sexual abuse.