ISMJ

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Sexual- reproductive health of youth is one of the most unknown aspects of our community, while the world, including our country is faced with the risk of AIDS spreading. The aim of this study was to describe Health Belief Model (HBM) of the students about sexual-reproductive health behaviors and evaluate the ability of the model in predicting related behaviors. By using quota sampling, 1117 male and female students of Qazvin Medical Science and International universities were included in the study in 1991. A self-completed questionnaire was prepared containing close questions based on HBM components including perceived threats (susceptibility and severity) of related diseases, perceived reproductive benefits and barriers and self efficacy of youth about reproductive health. A total of 645 of participants were female and 457 were male (Mean age 21.4±2.4 and 22.7±3.5, respectively). The Health Belief Model of the students showed that they perceived a moderate threat for AIDS and venereal diseases and their health outcomes. Most of them perceived the benefits of reproductive health behaviors. They believed that the ability of youth in considering reproductive health is low or moderate. However, they noted to some barriers for spreading of reproductive health in youth including inadequacy of services. Boys felt a higher level of threat for acquiring the AIDS and venereal diseases in compare to girls, but girls had a higher knowledge about these diseases and their complications. The Health Belief Model of the students with premarital intercourse behavior was not significantly different with the students without this behavior (Mann-Withney, P<0.05). Female students and the students without the history of premarital intercourse had significantly more positive attitude towards abstinence, comparing to male students and students with the history of premarital intercourse, respectively (Mann-Withney, P<0.05). Seventy five percent of students believed in respecting to ethics as the best way of prevention of AIDS and venereal diseases. HBM was successful in describing the students’ beliefs about reproductive health and related disease. However, it seemed that HBM had a limited capability in predicting reproductive health behaviors, at least for students and/or in our community. Regarding to the positive attitude of most students toward abstinence, especially among female students, it seemed that socio-cultural components are more important than threats for AIDS and venereal diseases. ‏Therefore, developing HBM by integrating the model by related cultural components is recommended

Keywords: reproductive health, Health Belief Model, contraceptives, STDs/AIDS prevention, unwanted pregnancy.

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