Reproductive Health Information Seeking Behaviour among Undergraduates of Federal University Oye Ekiti, Nigeria

Abstract

University students are at the stage of active sexual life, and need to be provided access to accurate and up to date information to be able to take informed decision on sexual matters and lessen behaviours that could have undesirable outcomes. This study thus investigates the reproductive health information (RHI) seeking behaviour among undergraduates in a Nigerian university. The stratified random sampling technique was employed to select 750 participants from the undergraduate population at Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), Ekiti State, Nigeria. A questionnaire survey was used to gather required information from the students. Descriptive statistical tools of frequency counts, percentage and mean scores were employed for the data analysis. The findings showed that students’ major RHI needs were on prevention of sexually transmitted infections including HIV (44.8%), pregnancy prevention/contraception (40.9%), sexual hygiene (30.5%) and safe sexual relationships (24.9%). Respondents’ most frequent sources of RHI were internet/social network sites, friends, television, literature/storybooks/booklets, pharmacy/patient medicine sellers and parents. The RHI was used by respondents for updating knowledge (52.7%); for a specific reproductive health problem/disease (38.7%) and to prevent sexually transmitted infections such as HIV (29.9%). The constraints faced in seeking RHI were knowing the reliability/trustworthiness of information, fear of embarrassment and lack of time to search for RHI. The results of this study would inform university authorities, health information developers and other relevant stakeholders on the planning, review and development of information materials to enhance the reproductive health of university students. It also demonstrated the need for academic libraries to play active role in dissemination of RHI so as to expand students’ access to credible RHI.