Status of sexual and reproductive health literacy among 7-14 years old early adolescents′ caregivers and junior middle school students

ObjectiveTo ascertain the status and potential influencing factors of early puberty sexual health literacy among 7-14 year old adolescents′ caregivers and junior middle school students in Shanghai.

MethodsAccording to multi-stage sampling principal, 1 603 caregivers of 7-14 year old adolescents and 964 middle school students were selected and investigated by questionnaires, including information in relation to family socioeconomic and student growth.

ResultsThe total score of early puberty sexual and reproductive health literacy of the surveyed caregivers and junior high school students was around 70;Scores of junior middle school students were significantly related to their caregivers′scores(P < 0.010);The score of primary students caregivers in junior high school was around 72 significantly higher than 70, the score of primary school caregivers, P < 0.01;The total scores were influenced by children′s gender, domicile, education level, profession and the per capita monthly income of the core family.The total score of girls in junior high school was around 68 significantly higher than 66, the score of boys in junior high school, P=0.006;The total score was also influenced by education level of their fathers.

ConclusionAt present, the parents and students of the primary and middle school have much room to improve in their early puberty sexual and reproductive health literacy.The results of the study provide the necessary reference for targeted education about early puberty sexual and reproductive health among primary and middle school students and their caregivers.