Page 360 - RUICHSS 2023 Proceeding

University of Ruhuna ISSN: 2706-0063
Matara, Sri Lanka

as reading books, watching movies, and socializing with friends due to

pandemic restrictions and spent most of their free time attending online
lectures. This has affected how students acquire social knowledge, with many

feeling that their options for learning in a university setting have been greatly

diminished. However, the socially constructed ideologies, myths, and negative
attitudes towards people with disabilities continue to be reflected in university

education systems. The Orientation programme at universities was found to
be a brief awareness about sexuality and reproductive health and not enough

to improve safe and protective practices of sexual and reproductive health.

As one respondent noted,

"Their attitude was that we do not need love, marriage, and sexuality, and

parenting skills. Sometimes we do not even know the skills required for sex"
(P1, Female, 24, Visually Impaired)

This highlights the importance of sexual and reproductive health education,

particularly in university settings where romantic relationships are common.
It is important to note that sexual desire is a subjective feeling triggered by a

range of internal and external factors and may or may not result in overt sexual
behaviour.

5.2. Nature of Programmes Organised by Universities

The research revealed that while the university organised various programmes

on sexual and reproductive health along with collaborative associations for

university students, they were mainly targeted at the entire student body.

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