GENDER DIFFIRENCES AND THE GAP IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ABOUT REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH & SAFE SEX

Abstract

Study was conducted at Lang Giang high school 1, Bac Giang province in May 2014. The objectives were to identify the gap in the knowledge of reproductive health & safe sex among high school students and the differences between male and female students in understanding different aspects of this area. The results showed that high school students were initially aware and knew some surface information of reproductive health and safe sex, but significant proportion of them were lack of in depth knowledge on this area such as lack of knowledge and information on different STDs, easy time for female to be pregnant and side effects of abortion. Many students including male ones did not know correctly how to use condom when having sexual intercourse, and many female students were still doubt or did not believe on the possibility of having pregnancy after having the first sexual intercourse without any protecting methods. In addition, the propotion of male students knew about popular contraceptive methods such as condom and pill was lower than female students (p<0,05). There was higher proportion of male students supported for having sex before marriage but female students knew on the side effects of abortion better than male ones (p<0,05). The implication of this study was to provide suggestions on the reviewing and revising the education and communication strategy with the main focuses on providing and communicating on in depth knowledge and information of reproductive health and safe sex as well as to fulfill the gap of their knowledge on this area that is necessary and suitable for male and female students.