Reproductive and sexual health issues: knowledge, opinion and attitude of medical graduates from Karachi.

OBJECTIVES To asses the knowledge, opinion and attitude of medical graduates regarding selected reproductive tract infections, diagnosis of sexual dysfunction, identification of sexual abuse and other sexual health issues in Fatima Baqai Hospital Gadap Town. METHODS A cross sectional study conducted from January 2009 to July 2009 in Fatima Baqai Hospital Karachi. An anonymous, self administrated structured questionnaire was completed by medical graduates. Formal/informal interviews were also arranged. The questionnaire and interviews addressed socio-demographic features, reproductive problems knowledge, attitudes and experience of those medical graduates. Descriptive statistics were analyzed by SPSS version 11. RESULT A total of 50 medical graduates participate in the study. Of the total nearly half scored less than 50% in the knowledge section. Attitude and practices assessment suggested a tendency to be judgmental, gender/rights discriminatory and with little provision for enabling clients to make their own decision, so essential for quality sexual health provision. CONCLUSION The level of reproductive and sexual health knowledge among the participant medical graduates were lower than expected. Attitudes and opinions indicate judgmental approach and indicating lack of experience of training in dealing with sexuality issues.