RELATION BETWEEN KNOWLEDGE ABOUT REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH WITH RISK BEHAVIOR OF STUDENTS AT ISLAMIC BOARDING SCHOOLS IN SEMARANG CITY

Abstract

Research studies related to the reproductive health of adolescent students are still very minimal.  Therefore, it is necessary to conduct studies related to health promotion for the short, medium, and long term.  This study analyzed knowledge relating to reproductive health and risk behavior of students.  Observational research with a cross-sectional approach was conducted at 11 Islamic boarding schools in Tembalang District.  The inclusion criteria were students who reached puberty, aged 10-24 years and had lived for at least one year in Islamic boarding school.  Data were collected through a questionnaire survey.  Of 509 students, 44.6% aged 15-19 years, 58.5% lived in rural areas, and 55.4% currently attending junior high school.  Most students have low knowledge on family planning (88.2%) and low risky behavior (73.3%).  Most students have moderate knowledge on reproductive health (68.2%), HIV/AIDS and STIs (74.0%), and Marriage and Desire to Have Children (57.8%).  Fifty-eight percent of the students have good practices in regard to smoking, drinking alcoholic beverages and using illegal drugs.  The logistic regression analysis revealed that knowledge on HIV/AIDS and STIs (p<0.001), Marriage and Desire to Have Children (p=0.009), and practices of smoking, drinking alcoholic beverages and using illegal drugs (p=0.012) were related to risky behavior of students.  Knowledge about HIV/AIDS and STIs was the most influential variable (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 2.66; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.62-4.37, p<0.001).  In summary, knowledge on reproductive health of students is the important.  Appropriate and sustainable education efforts are needed to increase students’ awareness of their reproductive health.