Knowledge and Attitude towards Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights: A Study of First- and Final-Year Healthcare Students of the University of Buenos Aires, Argentina

Abstract

Providing sexual and reproductive healthcare services of high quality is key to improving people’s health, especially women and adolescents and, thus, to reducing maternal mortality and morbidity. Successful outcomes of sexual and reproductive healthcare services depend, among other factors, on competent health providers, particularly medical doctors, midwives and nurses. The thesis “Knowledge and Attitude towards Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) and Rights- A Study of First and Final Year Healthcare Students of the University of Buenos Aires, Argentina” assessed what students learn about SRH and rights at the School of Medicine. Self-administered, anonymous questionnaires were administered to 1,489 first and final-year students from different fields between 2011 and 2013. The results revealed important gaps and deficiencies in knowledge in core topics of SRH care among soon-to-be healthcare providers, which could raise serious barriers to health and rights for the population. There is an urgent need to improve SRH care education.