title: Protocol study: sexual and reproductive health knowledge, information-seeking behaviour and attitudes among Saudi women: a questionnaire survey of university students.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Sexual and reproductive health (SRH), a basic right for women worldwide, is infrequently researched in countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). No empirical studies of SRH among Saudi women exist. This protocol describes a study to explore the SRH knowledge, information-seeking behaviour and attitudes of Saudi female university students.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study will administer a questionnaire survey to female students at 13 universities in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The questionnaire was developed following a literature search to identify relevant content, with psychometrically tested tools used when available. The content layout and the wording and order of the questions were designed to minimize the risk of bias. The questionnaire has been translated into Arabic and piloted in preparation for administration to the study sample. Ethical approval for the study has been granted (reference no. QMREC2012/54). After questionnaire administration, the data will be collated, analysed and reported anonymously. The findings will be published in compliance with reporting guidelines for survey research.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study will be the first to provide fundamental information concerning Saudi females university students SRH knowledge and information needs.
authors.affiliation: Women's Health Research Unit - Centre for Primary Care and Public Health, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, Yvonne Carter Building, 58 Turner Street, London E1 2AB, UK. m.farih@qmu.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Manal
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Farih
authors.forename: Khalid
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: Della
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Freeth
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Meads
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D057226:Information Seeking Behavior; D060728:Reproductive Health; D012529:Saudi Arabia; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D012931:Social Environment; D013334:Students; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014495:Universities