The Study on the First Year Students of the Faculty of Medicine to Assess Their Health Compromising Behaviors and Knowledge About Reproductive Health

Objective: The aim of this article is to assess how well the students in the first year of the Mersin University Faculty of Medicine, as a section of adolescents, are informed about the adolescent and reproductive health and, to examine adolescents' health compromising behaviors. Material and Methods: The material comprised of 88 students in the first year of the faculty of medicine. Data was collected through questionnaires completed by the students. Results: Females were more inactive than males. The ratio of males (78.6%) who reported having participated in physical activities was higher than females (40.6%). Most adolescents reported that they had never smoked (64.8%), never used alcoholic drinks (54.5%), and never used drugs (97.7%). The majority of adolescents reported that they had never had sex (79.5%). The ratio of using contraceptive methods in the first sexual intercourse was 25%. Most of the males (55.4%) and females (74.2%)reported that their knowledge about reproductive health was not enough. The general knowledge of the females about the adolescent health and reproductive health was better than those of males (p=0.039). Conclusion: Among adolescents in the first year of the faculty of medicine, risky behaviors are common and adolescents' knowledge about adolescent and reproductive health is insufficient. Educational programs are needed to inform the adolescents about the adolescent health and reproductive health, and to prevent the health compromising behaviors.