Young Women Knowledge Gaps about RH in Cairo Eman T. El-Hadary, Researcher Social Research Center The American University in Cairo

Content Puberty Circumcision STIs Pre-Marital Tests Media Habits A wareness K nowledge S ources A ttitudes

Knowledge about Puberty Symptoms in Females

Mean 3 symptoms Knowledge of

By socio-economic background Knowledge of Notes: Women with no educational background are primarily young girls at primary

By socio-economic background Knowledge of

Average age at puberty is 13 years of age* Majority of young women agreed that the menstrual periods are a symptoms that the body disposing bad blood. However there are 33% of all women didn’t know why women experience menstrual cycle. The remaining 13% mentioned other reasons among which are hormonal changes, disposing excess blood and to prepare a womb to receive a fetus. Among the uneducated, 68% didn’t know why they have periods, and it is 74% among the 10 – 14. Lack of knowledge is also associated with economic status and place of residence. Notes: * 15% of women surveyed have not reached puberty yet. 2% DK age at puberty Knowledge of

Awareness regarding menstrual cycles at first time

Knowledge of Young Women Reaction when they first got their menstrual cycles: 57% of young women were shocked, scared or cried It was inversely associated with economic status

Source of Information about menstrual cycles Knowledge of Personal Hygiene Knowledge of Young Women Reaction when they first got their menstrual cycles: 57% of young women were shocked, scared or cried

Who informed you about me. Cycles? Who taught about personal hygiene? Knowledge of Mothers followed by family members are the main source of information or consultation for young women Who would consult if you have a problem?

Knowledge about Circumcision

Have you heard of circumcision? Are you Circumcised? * Age 15 Knowledge of Average age 10.4 Estimated prevalence of female genital mutilation in girls and women in Egypt (2008) / 15 – 49 years: 91%

Who are circumcised? Knowledge of

By Who?Where? 56% has been circumcised by a doctor. This proportion decreased to 53% among deprived areas residents compared to 66% among non- deprived areas residents. Poorest women are the least likely to be circumcised by a doctor (38%) compared to 77% among young women in the richest quintile. Uneducated women (30%) are less likely to be circumcised by a doctor compared to women with any level of education, reaching to 70% among university educated. 45% of circumcisions happened in hospitals. Young women living in deprived areas, uneducated and from poor background are less likely to be circumcised in a hospital. Early married women were less likely to be circumcised in a hospital (29%) as oppose to those who married at older age (41%) and 52% among never married young women. Knowledge of

Have you heard of circumcision? Are you Circumcised? * Age 15 Perception and Intention for future Practice Knowledge of Average age 10.4

Perception towards circumcision Intention to practice circumcision on baby girls 28% of young women believed that circumcision is important, while 44% of them believed that it is not important and 28% reported that they are undecided “neither important nor not important.” The importance of circumcision was negatively related to education, wealth and place of residence Among residents of deprived areas 33% maintained the perception of the importance of circumcision compared to 17% among non-deprived areas residents 30% of young women intend to circumcised their daughters in the future. This proportion increases to 34% among deprived areas residents and decreases to 20% among residents of non-deprived area 55% of early married young women intend to circumcise their daughters compared to 44% among those who married 18 years and older and 20% among never married young women. 57% of uneducated young women intend to circumcise their daughter compared to 20% of university educated young women. 43% of the poorest young women intend to circumcise their daughter compared to only 16% among the richest young women. Knowledge of

Knowledge about STIs

Have you heard of STIs? If someone in the family was affected with HIV/AIDS, should people know about it? Knowledge of STIs almost synonymous to HIV/AIDs, 97% identified HIV/AIDS as one, followed 22% syphilis,13% gonorrhea and 5%Hipatisis B Have you heard of HIV/AIDS?

Who knows about STIs? Knowledge of

Knowledge of STIs prevention methods How can HIV/AIDS be transmitted? Knowledge of

Knowledge about Marital Pre-Testing

Who knows about pre-marital tests? Knowledge of

Approving of the marital pretesting Why would you conduct a pre-marital testing? Knowledge of

Media Habits

They are gradated form G. Secondary & above, living in deprived, from the richest 2 quintiles. 3 hours / Average 56% owns a computer 43% use internet services

Notes: Women with no educational background are primarily young girls at primary

Discussion Young women are exposed to many incidents (Circumcision, puberty, STIs, & pre-martial testing) and might be vulnerable due to lack of knowledge. Young women are exposed to many incidents (Circumcision, puberty, STIs, & pre-martial testing) and might be vulnerable due to lack of knowledge. In terms of awareness levels, one can easily observe that socio-economic background was closely correlated with almost all the issues presented. In terms of awareness levels, one can easily observe that socio-economic background was closely correlated with almost all the issues presented. Special attention need to be given to girls aged , since they are at the age bracket of puberty with minimal information Special attention need to be given to girls aged , since they are at the age bracket of puberty with minimal information It is evident that education plays a vital role in raising women’s awareness regarding circumcision, STIs and pre-marital testing. It is evident that education plays a vital role in raising women’s awareness regarding circumcision, STIs and pre-marital testing. Factors of deprivation and poverty have been also identified as factors that hinders women abiltiy to know Factors of deprivation and poverty have been also identified as factors that hinders women abiltiy to know Understanding the gaps and channels of communication, further study need to address the means to raise young women awareness. Understanding the gaps and channels of communication, further study need to address the means to raise young women awareness.

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