Sex education for preventing unexpected pregnancies among Undergraduates: An experimental awareness program by students, for students at University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka

Abstract

Background: In Sri Lanka, societal discomfort around openly discussing sex education leads to limited awareness, increasing the risk of unintended pregnancies and STDs. Parents often avoid these conversations, leaving children vulnerable to unhealthy decisions. The Medical Centre of the University of Kelaniya (UOK) has recognized this issue, particularly among undergraduates, prompting an investigation. This program was implemented "by the students for the students", to identify the risks and other issues, as a community development practice. The objective of the program is to increase sex education awareness and prevent unexpected pregnancies among UOK undergraduates through a student-driven program. Method: The methodology consisted of two stages: initial survey and program implementation. The initial survey has been done using 28 level 1 Geography (Honors) undergraduates of UOK. Results: The preliminary survey resulted in 73.3% of the sample completely unaware about unexpected pregnancies while 16.7% partially aware. Additionally, about 40% of the sample was not completely aware of pregnancy control methods, and 43.3% were only partially aware. Another significant finding is that approximately 83.3% of the sample has a basic understanding of the menstruation process, while 16.7% are completely unaware of it. Additionally, 26.7% of the sample is not aware of sexually transmitted diseases, and 50% have only heard of them. The program, conducted exclusively for over 200 undergraduate students of UOK, aimed at enhancing awareness of contraceptive methods, STDs, and sexual health resources. Post-program surveys revealed a substantial improvement in knowledge levels, with scores surging from 60% to potentially 100%. Participants demonstrated increased understanding across various topics, indicating the program's success in meeting its objectives. Recognizing its significance, the team plans to sustain the initiative through social media platforms. Conclusion: This underscores the importance of such initiatives in addressing critical health issues among university students and advocates for their integration into broader university orientation programs to enhance awareness among incoming freshmen.