Introduction: In the current context where reproductive health assumes crucial importance for individual well-being, this study focuses on the importance of preserving fertility from a young age. Emphasizing the need for educational interventions and counselling by obstetrical professionals, this research aims to shed light on knowledge and practices related to fertility, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and contraceptive methods among college students. Through the analysis of distributed questionnaires, it is intended to detect students' gaps and make proposals to improve awareness and promote a proactive approach to reproductive health care. Objectives: This study aims to thoroughly examine fertility-related knowledge and behaviours among college students. The survey focuses on the perceptions, knowledge, and sexual behaviours of young adults, as well as exploring the sources of information used by them regarding reproductive health. It also aims to gather opinions on potential interventions to improve the dissemination of fertility information and promote informed behaviours. This research aims to contribute to the understanding of youth reproductive health and sexuality, offering useful perspectives on public health. Materials and Methods: Data were collected through the dissemination of an anonymous questionnaire between December 2023 and February 2024. The sample includes all students of the Faculty of Medicine of the Polytechnic University of Marche, except for the Obstetrics degree program. Of the responses obtained, only those from students aged 18-35 were analysed. The questionnaire, developed following the model proposed by the ISTISAN project and disseminated through "Google Forms," aimed to explore knowledge about fertility, sexually transmitted infections, information on contraceptive methods, sexual behaviours and sources of information used. Results and Discussion: The survey showed a thorough understanding of fertility among participating college students, however, there is a knowledge gap regarding male fertility reduction, suggesting the need for increased outreach on this topic. About sexually transmitted infections (STIs), although there is broad awareness of HIV/AIDS, more limited knowledge emerges about conditions such as Gonorrhoea and viral hepatitis. Expertise regarding contraceptives is high for condoms and pills, but there is a lack of information on other methods, accompanied by confusion about protection from STIs and unwanted pregnancies. Analysis of sexual behaviour reveals potential risk, with low condom use in casual sex. Assessment of parental attitudes highlights a gap between the perceived and the actual, related to factors such as age and study commitments. While online search for information is common, preference for institutional sources is limited, with many believing that school and educational meetings are more appropriate ways to gain knowledge. Conclusion: To improve sexual health awareness among college students, we need to focus on several areas. Implementing campaigns aimed at raising awareness of factors that reduce fertility, even at a very young age, holding information sessions on different sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and promoting more comprehensive educational programs on contraceptives are key steps. In addition, incentivizing condom use and enhancing reliable online sources, considering midwives and physicians as key resources, will help improve access to information. An integrated, multidisciplinary approach to these initiatives can foster greater awareness and more responsible behaviours among young adults.
Introduzione: Nel contesto attuale dove la salute riproduttiva assume un'importanza cruciale per il benessere individuale, il presente studio si concentra sull'importanza di preservare la fertilità fin dalla giovinezza. Sottolineando la necessità di interventi educativi e la consulenza di professionisti ostetrici, questa ricerca mira a fare luce sulle conoscenze e le pratiche relative alla fertilità, alle infezioni sessualmente trasmissibili e ai metodi contraccettivi tra gli studenti universitari. Attraverso l’analisi dei questionari distribuiti si intende rilevare le lacune degli studenti e avanzare proposte per migliorare la consapevolezza e promuovere un approccio proattivo alla cura della salute riproduttiva. Obiettivi: Questo studio si propone di esaminare le conoscenze e i comportamenti legati alla fertilità tra gli studenti universitari. L'indagine si concentra sulle percezioni, conoscenze e comportamenti sessuali dei giovani adulti, oltre ad esplorare le fonti di informazioni utilizzate in materia di salute riproduttiva. L'obiettivo è anche raccogliere opinioni sugli interventi potenziali per migliorare la diffusione di informazioni sulla fertilità e promuovere comportamenti consapevoli. Questa ricerca mira a contribuire alla comprensione della salute riproduttiva e della sessualità giovanile, offrendo prospettive utili per la salute pubblica. Materiali e metodi: I dati sono stati raccolti attraverso la diffusione di un questionario anonimo tra dicembre 2023 e febbraio 2024. Il campione comprende tutti gli studenti della Facoltà di Medicina e Chirurgia dell’Università Politecnica delle Marche, ad eccezione del corso di laurea in Ostetricia. Delle risposte ottenute, sono state analizzate solo quelle degli studenti di età compresa tra i 18 e 35 anni. Il questionario, sviluppato seguendo il modello proposto dal progetto ISTISAN e diffuso tramite “Google Moduli”, mira ad esplorare le conoscenze sulla fertilità, sulle infezioni sessualmente trasmissibili, l’informazione sui metodi contraccettivi, i comportamenti sessuali e le fonti d’informazione utilizzate. Risultati e discussione: L'indagine ha evidenziato una comprensione approfondita della fertilità tra gli studenti universitari partecipanti, tuttavia, si registra una lacuna di conoscenza riguardo alla riduzione della fertilità maschile, suggerendo la necessità di intensificare la divulgazione su questo argomento. Per quanto concerne le infezioni sessualmente trasmissibili, sebbene vi sia un'ampia consapevolezza dell'HIV/AIDS, emerge una conoscenza più limitata su patologie come la Gonorrea e l'epatite virale. La competenza riguardo ai contraccettivi è elevata per preservativi e pillole, ma si riscontra una carenza di informazioni su altri metodi, accompagnata da una confusione sulla protezione da IST e gravidanze indesiderate. L'analisi dei comportamenti sessuali rivela un potenziale rischio, con scarso utilizzo del preservativo nei rapporti occasionali. La valutazione degli atteggiamenti genitoriali mette in luce un divario tra il percepito ed il reale, correlato a fattori come età e impegni di studio. Pur essendo comune la ricerca online di informazioni, la preferenza per fonti istituzionali è limitata, e molti ritengono che la scuola e gli incontri educativi siano modalità più adeguate ad acquisire conoscenze. Conclusione: Per migliorare la consapevolezza sulla salute sessuale tra gli studenti universitari, occorre focalizzarsi su diverse aree. Implementare campagne mirate alla sensibilizzazione dei fattori che riducono la fertilità, già in età molto giovane, organizzare sessioni informative sulle diverse infezioni sessualmente trasmissibili e promuovere programmi educativi più completi sui contraccettivi sono passi fondamentali. Inoltre, incentivare l'uso del preservativo e potenziare fonti online affidabili, considerando ostetriche e medici come risorse chiave, contribuirà a migliorare l'accesso alle informazioni.
SALUTE SESSUALE E RIPRODUTTIVA NEI GIOVANI ADULTI: INDAGINE CONOSCITIVA IN AMBITO UNIVERSITARIO
FELICETTI, CECILIA
2022/2023
Abstract
Introduction: In the current context where reproductive health assumes crucial importance for individual well-being, this study focuses on the importance of preserving fertility from a young age. Emphasizing the need for educational interventions and counselling by obstetrical professionals, this research aims to shed light on knowledge and practices related to fertility, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and contraceptive methods among college students. Through the analysis of distributed questionnaires, it is intended to detect students' gaps and make proposals to improve awareness and promote a proactive approach to reproductive health care. Objectives: This study aims to thoroughly examine fertility-related knowledge and behaviours among college students. The survey focuses on the perceptions, knowledge, and sexual behaviours of young adults, as well as exploring the sources of information used by them regarding reproductive health. It also aims to gather opinions on potential interventions to improve the dissemination of fertility information and promote informed behaviours. This research aims to contribute to the understanding of youth reproductive health and sexuality, offering useful perspectives on public health. Materials and Methods: Data were collected through the dissemination of an anonymous questionnaire between December 2023 and February 2024. The sample includes all students of the Faculty of Medicine of the Polytechnic University of Marche, except for the Obstetrics degree program. Of the responses obtained, only those from students aged 18-35 were analysed. The questionnaire, developed following the model proposed by the ISTISAN project and disseminated through "Google Forms," aimed to explore knowledge about fertility, sexually transmitted infections, information on contraceptive methods, sexual behaviours and sources of information used. Results and Discussion: The survey showed a thorough understanding of fertility among participating college students, however, there is a knowledge gap regarding male fertility reduction, suggesting the need for increased outreach on this topic. About sexually transmitted infections (STIs), although there is broad awareness of HIV/AIDS, more limited knowledge emerges about conditions such as Gonorrhoea and viral hepatitis. Expertise regarding contraceptives is high for condoms and pills, but there is a lack of information on other methods, accompanied by confusion about protection from STIs and unwanted pregnancies. Analysis of sexual behaviour reveals potential risk, with low condom use in casual sex. Assessment of parental attitudes highlights a gap between the perceived and the actual, related to factors such as age and study commitments. While online search for information is common, preference for institutional sources is limited, with many believing that school and educational meetings are more appropriate ways to gain knowledge. Conclusion: To improve sexual health awareness among college students, we need to focus on several areas. Implementing campaigns aimed at raising awareness of factors that reduce fertility, even at a very young age, holding information sessions on different sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and promoting more comprehensive educational programs on contraceptives are key steps. In addition, incentivizing condom use and enhancing reliable online sources, considering midwives and physicians as key resources, will help improve access to information. An integrated, multidisciplinary approach to these initiatives can foster greater awareness and more responsible behaviours among young adults.| File | Dimensione | Formato | |
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https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12075/17230