Study of the Relationship between Awareness of Reproductive Health and Self-Esteem Level in the Students of Shahroud University of Medical Sciences

Background: Adolescents are poorly aware of reproductive health issues. Regarding the high importance of reproductive health and selfesteem level, this study aims to determine the relationship between the awareness of reproductive health and self-esteem. Methods: The population of this cross-sectional study consisted of the first-semester students who were admitted at the Shahroud university of medical sciences in january 2017. The demographic information, Cooper Smith scale for self-esteem, and reproductive health researcher-made scale, were completed by the students. SPSS16 software and T-test and Chi-square statistical tests were applied for data analysis. Results: A total of 105 students participated in the study. The average age of students was 20.2±1.8. The average score of reproductive health scale was 51.48±16.24, and the average score for self-esteem questions was 32.91±13.0. There was no statistical difference between the male and female groups. There was a significant relationship between the awareness of reproductive health and self-esteem level (r=0.25 and Pvalue=0.001). Conclusions: In the current research, there was a significant relationship between the awareness of reproductive health and selfesteem level. It is suggested that the youth receive more education on reproductive health since this can lead to both mental and physical health.