“...as long as it's not equitable, it's a sensitive issue” Learning Sensitive Issues in an International High Education Program in Sweden: The Sexual and Reproductive Health Case: A qualitative interview study with international master students
2024 (English)Independent thesis Advanced level (degree of Master (One Year)), 10 credits / 15 HE credits
Student thesis
Abstract [en]
Background: Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) can be best achieved by providing access to comprehensive information about sex practices and sexuality, accessible, acceptable and affordable sexual health care and promotion. Progress on SRHR requires addressing barriers in laws, policies, economics, and social norms that impede the achievement of sexual and reproductive health.
Aim: To explore international students' experiences and perceptions about studying sensitive issues within SRHR in a master’s degree program in Sweden.
Methodology: A qualitative research method was used. A total of 9 participants were recruited through convenience sampling. Interviews were carried out via zoom and audio-recorder. The data corpus was analyzed using qualitative thematic analysis according to Braun and Clarke, and the theoretical perspective for the thesis was the Socio Ecological Model.
Results: Two main themes and eight subthemes emerged during analysis. The first main theme was diversity in what was perceived as sensitive topics with three subthemes namely the international mix matters, personal experience and beliefs and religious affiliation/practices and cultural background. The second main theme was discussion of sensitive issues in the classroom with five subthemes namely lack of a warning from lecturers about potentially sensitive topics ahead, Classroom settings as a haven for discussing potentially sensitive topics, Respect among students themselves and from lecturers, Participants’ choice not to engage insensitive discussions and the presentation of the lecturer's opinions and views on potential sensitive issues.
Conclusions: This thesis highlights the importance of discussions in an international classroom that include sensitive topics and how that can aide the progress of SRHR in the future.
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
2024.
Keywords [en]
Sensitive Issues, Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, Qualitative Research, Thematic Analysis
National Category
Public Health, Global Health and Social Medicine
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:du-49547OAI: oai:DiVA.org:du-49547DiVA, id: diva2:1907232
Subject / course
Sexual Reproductive Perinatal Health
2024-10-222024-10-222025-10-09