Gender differences in youth reproductive health knowledge in Sri Lanka

Abstract

The main objective of this paper is to examining gender differences in youth reproductive health (RH) knowledge in Sri Lanka. 'Youth' can be considered as the most productive age period in life. The current National Youth Policy of Sri Lanka defines 'youth' as persons between 15 and 29 years. Those in youth age cohorts require sufficient reproductive health knowledge to enhance their health and wellbeing, irrespective of their gender. This study is based on literature that has been published between year 2000 and 2014. Literature identifies significant gender differences in terms of youth reproductive health knowledge and behaviour. The findings reveal that fertility behavior of youth differs by residential sector. Never married proportion is relatively high in the 15-19 age group, and urban sector male youth reports the highest percentage of unmarried.