The article highlights and analyzes the peculiarities of reproductive behavior of girls of different age groups, defines factors that determine it. The purpose of the article was to study the reproductive behavior of girls aged 17-22 and reproductive settings for use in developing regional demographic policies and monitoring demographic situations. The survey involved 284 students of higher education institutions. The results of the anonymous questionnaire were analyzed in two age groups: 17-19 years old – I group (145 persons) and 20-22 years old – II group (139 persons). We used a specially designed anonymous questionnaire, which addressed the issues of reproductive settings, levels of awareness and sources of information about sexual education, beginning of sexual life, use of contraceptives, HIV status. According to medical examinations, 76.92 % of girls were recognized as healthy, and 23.08 % of the examined had chronic reproductive diseases. The debut of sexual activity falls mostly on the age range of 17-18 years old (34.57 %) and 15-16 years old (19.15 %). In 5.53 % of students, sexual intercourse was accompanied by pregnancy, followed by its interruption. The main source of information on reproductive behavior and reproductive health in the youth environment are peers and friends (48.40 %), medical internet resources (45.74 %), interviews with parents (32.45 %), mass media and advertising (28.72 %), thematic classes in education institutions (17.02 %). According to the survey, 31.71 % of students, who had in the anamnesis accidental sexual intercourse, had diseases of the reproductive system. The study found out that 73.31 % of respondents considered two children the ideal number of children in the family, 16.17 % of girls gave preference to three children in the family, and 7.89 % of girls wanted only one child. Childfree is considered to be an «ideal» option by 2.26 % of students. Taking into account the required quality of life, 70.40 % of the respondents would like to have two children in the family, 11.55 % and 12.27 % would like to have one and three children, respectively. Under these conditions, 4.33 % of girls would not like to have any children at all. However, at the time of the survey, only 49.82 % of girls would like to have two children, 5.05 % of students dreamt to have three children, and 19.86 % – one child and 25.27 % – did not plan to have children. However, at the time of the survey, only 49.82 % of girls would like to have two children, 5.05 % of girls – threechildren, 19.86 % – one child and 25.27 % – do not plan to have children at all. The study of reproductive behavior and reproductive settings is important for understanding and predicting birth rates in the region, for developing concrete measures for effective demographic and family policies.

Keywords: reproductive behaviour, reproductive settings, reproductive health, girls

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