Awareness and Practice on Reproductive Health Rights among Reproductive Age Women in Birgunj Metropolitan City

Abstract

Background: The reproductive health rights are fundamental human rights ensuring control over own body and decision. This study aimed to find out the awareness and practice of reproductive rights among reproductive age women.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted. A total of 262 reproductive age women from 15 to 49 years were selected purposively from Birgunj Metropolitan City-13, Parsa. Data were entered into SPSS 20 version and then analysed by using the descriptive and inferential statistics.

Result: Out of 262 respondents, the study findings revealed that 56.5% of the respondents had high level of awareness and 56.9% of the respondents had satisfactory level of practice on reproductive health rights. There was a significant association between the level of awareness and educational status and educational level of respondents (p<0.001) and educational status and educational level of spouse (p<0.001). Similarly, there was significant association between level of awareness and level of practice (p<0.001).

Conclusion: This study concluded that more than half of the respondent had high level of awareness and satisfactory level of practice on reproductive health rights. There is significant association between level of awareness and practice. Level of awareness is significantly associated with education level. Thus, education can enhance women’s awareness on reproductive health rights and reproductive health services utilization.