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Primary Submission Category: Reproductive health
The Baraka Study: An Assessment of the Knowledge and Attitudes Regarding Sexual/Reproductive Health and Ideals among Muslim-Americans
Authors: Fota Sall, Stephanie M. Carpenter,
Presenting Author: Fota M. Sall*
Knowledge about sexual and reproductive health improves sexual decision-making, health, and well-being. However, several populations in the US have inadequate sexual health literacy due to cultural norms or stigma, leading to notable group disparities. This research aims to identify how best to engage Muslim-Americans in sexual and reproductive health education. The secondary aim is to explore gender ideals and expectations.
A cross-sectional survey adapted from multiple sexual, reproductive and religiosity surveys was electronically distributed via Prolific. 159 participants were recruited from December 2025 to February 2026. The survey included 58 questions, utilized 3 validated surveys, team-created questionnaires, and multiple short answer questions.
Preliminary analyses included 153 participants. All self-identified as Muslim-American, 54% identified as women, 44% as men, and 1.3% as transgender/another term (TGNB). Participants were ethnically diverse and 84% were 18-44 years old. Median scores by age group ranged from 15 to 20; a score of 20 is considered a “strong strength of faith”. 81% agreed that “teaching sex education in school does not lead to young people having sex earlier”. Over 80% stated they knew all of the different methods of contraception and types of STDs; 55% preferred to search for doubts on sexual education online rather than ask in person; 40% agreed that parents and teachers are the only ones responsible for teaching kids about sex education. Lastly, a large proportion stated that they would be open to receiving more sexual health information about family planning, consent, and biological information, particularly from medical professionals or non-profit groups. These findings offer key insights into sexual and reproductive health that will benefit clinicians, public health practitioners, and the larger Muslim-American community.