Women’s knowledge and Attitude Regarding Reproductive Health Rights in an Urban North-Western Nigerian Community

Abstract

Background: Sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR) are essential human rights that are indisputable globally and should be well known and embraced by all individuals. Women especially those living in developing countries have little to no access to information and services about their reproductive health and rights.
Aim: To determine the level of knowledge and attitude to sexual and reproductive health rights and associated factors among women in an urban north-western Nigerian community.
Methods: A community-based, descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 240 women of reproductive age group in Kaduna South Local Government Area, Kaduna State from September 24th to October 9th, 2019. They were selected through a multistage sampling technique. Data were collected on socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge about and attitudes toward SRHR. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed and adjusted odds ratios (AOR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) and value < 0.05 were used to assess for statistical significance. Results. A total of 107 (44.6%) respondents said they had heard about SRHR, of which only 104 (43.3%) respondents had good knowledge about SRHR. A higher proportion (55.4%) of the respondents had favourable attitudes towards SRHR, with a considerable 44.6% having poor attitudes. Multiple logistic regression identified the educational status of women (AOR=0.32; 0.15- 0.68) and ethnicity (AOR=2.49; CI=1.13- 5.49) as significant predictors of knowledge of SRHR. The educational status of women (AOR=0.32; 0.15- 0.68) was also found to be a significant predictor of the attitude of women towards SRHR
Conclusions. Knowledge about SRHR was poor among the women, though a majority had favourable attitudes towards SRHR. Appropriate programs need to be implemented by governmental and relevant stakeholders to promote women's educational status and enhance women's SRHR knowledge