title: Evaluation of Female Youth Educational Needs about Reproductive Health in Non-Medical Students in the City of Qom.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate reproductive health education which is essential to the prevention of sexual risk behavior and its associated adverse outcomes of unwanted pregnancy, AIDS and other sexually transmitted disease in adolescents. Little is known about youth educational needs about reproductive health in Iran. The aim of this study is evaluation of female youth educational needs about reproductive health in non-medical universities in the city of Qom, north central of Iran.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was descriptive-analytical type conducted in nine non-medical universities (400 students). A questionnaire was constructed to meet the purpose of the study based on similar studies of knowledge and attitude in different countries, yet it was modified according to Iranian culture and social norms.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The findings showed that a majority of participants have moderate knowledge about all components of reproductive health. Approximately, one - third of the participants reported difficulties to discuss about sexual health with mothers. The most of the participants believed insufficient female youth reproductive health services and low knowledge about reproductive health were the main barriers for female youth reproductive health aims.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The participants in this study are representatives of an important subgroup in Iran in order to evaluate female youth reproductive health educational needs. The study identified many misconception and negative attitude that need to be addressed. A health education program through parents, peers, mass media campaign and more comprehensive family planning curriculum in universities are recommended to overcome misconception and spread awareness.
authors: Department of Reproductive Health, Faculty of Medical Science, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
authors: Fatemeh
authors: F
authors: Bazarganipour
authors: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Kashan medical university, Kashan, Iran.
authors: Fatemeh
authors: F
authors: Foroozanfard
authors: Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Yasuj University of Medical Sciences, Yasuj, Iran.
authors: Seyed Abdolvahab
authors: SA
authors: Taghavi
authors: Department of Midwifery, Yasuj University of Medical Sciences, Yasuj, Iran.
authors: Fatemeh
authors: F
authors: Hekmatzadeh
authors: Department of Midwifery, Kashan medical university, Kashan, Iran.
authors: Malihe
authors: M
authors: Sarviye
authors: Department of Nursing, Yasuj University of Medical Sciences, Yasuj, Iran.
authors: Nazafarin
authors: N
authors: Hosseini
keywords: Attitude; Knowledge; Reproductive health; Youth