Knowledge of Youth about The Dimensions of Men Participation in Reproductive Health Affairs(Comparative study)

This research aims mainly to study the knowledge of male students enrolled in the final year in some faculties of Alexandria University on men's participation in reproductive health (RH) issue, with comparison between practical faculties students (PFS) and theoretical faculties students (TFS)  in their knowledge and their attitudes levels that consist the (RH) dimensions, which includes knowledge about :
1-    Goals and services of (RH) programs.
2-    Concepts, goals and methods of family planning .
3-    Risk factors that affect men's reproductive health.
4-    Sexually transmitted diseases.
5-    Responsibilities and roles of men in reproductive health.
6-    Attitudes against specific discrimination towards women.
Material and Method:
To achieve the research objectives an accidental sample of male students in the final year were selected, according to equal allocation method (150 from practical faculties and 150 from theoretical faculties).
Data were collected by personal interview using a questionnaire. Statistical methods were used to analyze the data which included Frequency distributions, percentages, mean , standard deviation, ,chi square(X²) , (Z) test and internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha).
Results:
1- Regarding to knowledge of the respondents towards the objectives of (RH) programs and services, the results showed that (57.6%) answered that (RH) programs and services provided for both women and men through their different life stages, and (59.4%) answered that (RH) programs and services cover aspects of the (RH) as well as physical and psychological health aspects for both women and men. (47.6%) of the total sample responded reported that (RH) programs and services are provided at the beginning of adulthood, without statistically significant differences between students in both practical and theoretical faculties.
2- Concerning to the students' knowledge towards elements of family planning concept, goals and methods, the results showed that the vast majority of the students (92.3%) of the total sample (95.3% of PFS vs. 89.3% of TFS) emphasized that the appropriate age to give birth for women is between20 to less than 30 years, and (55.0%)of the total sample(58.0% of PFS vs 52.0% of TFS)
answered that the optimal number of children in the family is two children, and the most appropriate period of birth-spacing must be between 2-5 years according to the answers of (70.3%) of the total sample (74.7% of PFS vs. 66.0% of TFS), which showed significant differences between students distributions with respect to the previous three research variables at 0.05 and 0.01 levels. The majority of the students (78.7%)  reported that "organization of the distance between births" is the primary goal of family planning, and the contraceptive pills has received first place in the list of family planning methods that known by (80%) of  them.
3- Regarding to knowledge of the students about risk factors affecting (RH)of men , more than three-quarters of the students total number (76.0%) answered that incidence of sexually transmitted diseases came at the head of the risk factors threatening fertility of men . (88.7%) of the total sample reported that the main danger of smoking represents as pulmonary diseases. (70.7%) of the total sample reported that alcohol abuse and narcotics addiction lead to poor sexual ability in men by a distribution of (78.0% of PFS vs. 63.3% of TFS) that shows significant differences. (50.3%) of the total sample mentioned that heart disease came in the forefront of obesity health problems.
4- AIDS occupied the first place in the list of  students' knowledge about sexually transmitted diseases types ​​ by (79.3%) of the total number and by a distribution of (95.3% of PFS vs. 63.3% of TFS), that shows high significant differences.
5 - About responsibilities and roles of men in (RH)" medical examinations before marriage" came on the top of these roles according to (92.0%) of the total students answers, and by a distribution of (87.3% of PFS vs. 96.7% of TFS) that shows significant differences.
6- Internet came in the forefront of the (RH) knowledge recourses  that mentioned by (78.0%) followed by television for (64.6%).
7 - The students attitudes against specific discrimination towards women showed powerful and moderate rejection to the gender discrimination aspects against women by the vast majority of student respondents (95.3%) with high significant differences due to the various degrees of  rejection.