Medical and social aspects for reproductive behavior of female students

Abstract

Factors with a significant impact on reproductive behavior include the promotion of sexual violence, widespread bad habits (smoking, alcoholism, drug addiction), fear of not finding or losing a job and financial dependence on parents. The need for active influence on the formation of a healthy lifestyle of young people is due to the significant spread of risky behavior among this category of the population. The purpose of the study: with the survey results to study the peculiarities of reproductive behavior of female students of educational institutions of a typical agro-industrial region of the Central Federal District – the Tambov Region. Materials and methods. The object of our research was female students studying in secondary specialized and higher educational institutions. We conducted an anonymous survey of girls (n = 1569) aged 14–20 years. The questionnaires of the respondents were analyzed in 4 age groups: 14 year olds (n = 117; 7.4 %), 15–16 year olds (n = 704; 44.9 %), 17–18 year olds (n = 530; 33.7 %) and 19–20 year olds (n = 218; 13.9 %). Results. Only 51.1 % of teenage girls aged 14 years believe that sexual activity should begin after marriage, while 48.9 % – before marriage at the age of 17–18 years. The responses of 15 and 16 year olds (52.2 and 47.8 %, respectively) and 18 and 19 year olds (57.95 and 42.05 %, respectively) were distributed in almost the same way. Among girls who have sexual life: only 33.1 % of 15–16-year-old respondents believe that it is worth starting a sexual life after marriage, and among 17–18 year olds only 22.2 % think so. The main reasons for the onset of sexual activity: falling in love – 92.1 % of 15–16 year olds, 82.2 % – 17–18 year olds, 83.3 % – 19–20 year olds; curiosity – 12.7 % of 15–16 year olds, 15.8 % – 17–18 year olds, 10.2 % – 19–20 year olds; experience acquisition – 6.4 % of 15–16 year olds, 5.9 % – 17–18 year olds, 2.8 % – 19–20 year olds; strong sexual attraction – 20.6 % of 15–16 year olds, 24.3 % – 17–18 year olds, 23.2 % – 19–20 year olds. Under the influence of alcohol, 7.9 % of girls aged 15–16 years started sexual life, 18.4 % – at the age of 17–20 years. Conclusion. The application of an integrated approach using a questionnaire of adolescent girls makes it possible to identify risk factors for reproductive health disorders, to investigate the mechanisms of formation of adolescents’ knowledge on healthy lifestyle issues, the dangers of early sexual intercourse, the use of means to prevent sexually transmitted infections and pregnancy.