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. 2025 Aug 17;3(2):e001607.
doi: 10.1136/bmjph-2024-001607. eCollection 2025.

Knowledge of sexual and reproductive health and rights among University of Rwanda students: a cross-sectional study

Alice Muhayimana  1 , Theoneste Ntalindwa  1 , Aline Uwase  1 , Kaberuka Gerard  1 , Jean Damascene Niringiyumukiza  2 , Allen Jean de la Croix Ingabire  3 , Emmanuel Nzabonimana  4 , Irene Josephine Kearns  5 , Marie Laetitia Ishimwe Bazakare  1 , Fulgence Maniriho  1 , Jean de Dieu Habimana  6 , Vedaste Bagweneza  7 , Mathias Nduwingoma  8
Affiliations

Knowledge of sexual and reproductive health and rights among University of Rwanda students: a cross-sectional study

Alice Muhayimana et al. BMJ Public Health. .

Abstract

Background: Poor knowledge of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) among university students has been constantly reported in low-income and middle-income countries. This study aimed to assess University of Rwanda (UR) students' knowledge on SRHR.

Methods: This cross-sectional study involved an online survey of 441 students across UR. Data were collected using a validated 50-item SRHR knowledge questionnaire via Moodle. Data were cleaned and analysed using STATA. Descriptive and inferential statistics, such as a bivariate logistic regression model and multivariate logistic regression with backward elimination, were used for the final model. A P-value of 0.05 with 95% CI limits was considered. The association between explanatory variables and the outcome (SRHR knowledge) was evaluated. A mean cut-off was employed, categorising experiences into a binary outcome (poor and good SRHR knowledge scores). Stepwise backward elimination logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify predictors of good SRHR knowledge.

Results: The majority of the participants (56%) had poor SRHR knowledge. In the bivariate analysis, statistically significant variables included prior exposure to the SRHR course by using YouTube (OR 2.36 (1.12 to 4.97) and radio (OR 3.08 (1.20 to 7.88)), prior learning SRHR courses online (OR 1.92 (1.10 to 3.38)) and participant age group 21-24 years (OR 0.50 (0.27 to 0.93). In the multivariate analysis, prior exposure to the SRHR course through YouTube (adjusted OR (aOR) 5.48 (1.29 to 23.22)) and SRHR prior exposure through radio (aOR 5.56 (1.37 to 23.04)) were associated with SRHR knowledge.

Conclusion and recommendations: UR students do not have sufficient knowledge of SRHR. Every UR student can benefit from SRHR training from reliable sources so that they can make effective choices regarding their reproductive health.

Keywords: Cross-Sectional Studies; Education; Preventive Medicine; Public Health; Reproductive History.

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Conflict of interest statement

None declared.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Prevalence rate of SRHR knowledge among UR students. The research findings revealed that only 44% have sufficient knowledge, whereas the majority of the participants (56%) have insufficient knowledge. SRHR, sexual and reproductive health rights; UR, University of Rwanda
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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