ASU Bahrain: Sexual and Reproductive Health Services and Outreach (2022–2025)

On-Campus Health Services and Support

-Health Clinic (Health Unit)

Applied Science University (ASU) in Bahrain operates an on-campus Health Unit (clinic) staffed by a qualified nurse during working hours [1]. This clinic provides free basic medical care and first aid to students and staff as members of the university community [1] [2]. The nurse maintains student health records and participates in wellness education programs [1]. In addition, ASU has trained first-aid personnel on each floor of the campus (with names and contact numbers publicly available) to handle emergencies until professional medical help arrives [1]. These measures ensure immediate health support is readily accessible on campus.

-Student Counselling Services

ASU’s Student Counselling Office offers confidential guidance and support for a wide range of student issues – educational, social, psychological, and health-related [1]. Counselors are available to help students cope with personal challenges (including stress or sensitive health matters) and can provide sexual and reproductive health information or referrals when needed. The counseling staff will refer students to appropriate external professionals (such as medical specialists or therapists) if a case requires services beyond the university’s scope [1]. All counseling is provided in a private, supportive environment, free of charge for ASU students, and aims to promote positive values and well-being in the student community [1].

Together, the on-campus clinic and counseling center form a comprehensive support system addressing students’ sexual and reproductive health needs alongside mental and physical health. Topics such as contraception, menstrual health, or sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can be discussed with trained staff in the clinic or counseling office, who either provide guidance directly or connect students with external healthcare services as appropriate. (These services are included as part of student support – no fees are charged to ASU students for consultations or basic care [1].)

Health Education and Awareness Initiatives (2022–2025)

ASU actively organizes health education programs, workshops, and awareness events on campus to educate students about sexual and reproductive health, as well as general well-being. Many of these initiatives are student-focused and often led in collaboration with the Women’s Club, Student Council, or the Health Unit and Counseling Office. They cover topics ranging from breast cancer and maternal health to mental health, healthy relationships, and consent. All such events are free to attend, and many provide complimentary health services (check-ups, consultations) to participants. Key initiatives from 2022–2025 include:

-Oct 11, 2022 – “Be Aware, Stay Alive” Breast Cancer Awareness Event

Organized on campus by ASU’s Women’s Club in solidarity with Breast Cancer Awareness Month [2]. Under the patronage of the University President, this event featured an awareness lecture and free on-site breast examinations for female students provided by partner healthcare providers (Shifa Medical Group and Aster Clinic) [2]. The event encouraged early detection and healthy habits, with medical staff available to answer questions about breast health and preventive care. (This reflects ASU’s practice of partnering with local clinics to bring services directly to students at no cost.)

-May–June 2023 – “My Protection” Women’s Health Lecture Series

ASU’s Health Unit, in collaboration with the Student Counselling Office and Bahrain’s Ministry of Health, launched a series of virtual lectures focusing on women’s sexual and reproductive health [2]. The program – called “My Protection” – was a proactive awareness initiative targeting women of all ages in the university community, aiming to enhance health knowledge and encourage healthy behaviors [2]. The first session, “Women’s Health,” was held on May 11, 2023, and covered general women’s health and well-being topics. A follow-up session on June 11, 2023, titled “Iron Deficiency Anemia in Pregnant Women and Family Stability,” addressed maternal nutrition and its impact on family health [2]. These lectures were conducted via online platforms (making them accessible to all students and staff) and were led by healthcare experts, including ASU’s campus nurse and a Health Promotion Specialist from the Ministry of Health. Dozens of students and faculty attended, engaging in Q&A on prenatal health, pregnancy nutrition, and family planning aspects. This series – offered under the auspices of Bahrain’s Health Promotion Directorate – exemplified ASU’s commitment to ongoing health education for its female students and was free of charge for all participants [2].

-April 3–4, 2024 – Virtual Reproductive Health Workshops

Building on the success of My Protection, ASU hosted two interactive online sessions in April 2024 dedicated to reproductive health topics. On April 3, a webinar titled “Women’s Health” was presented by Ms. Zainab Al-Afiyah (a Health Promotion Specialist from Bahrain’s Ministry of Health) [2]. This session focused on women’s general sexual and reproductive health issues, including guidance on contraception, menstrual health management, and preventive screening for diseases. The next day, April 4, Ms. Al-Afiyah delivered a second virtual lecture, “Pregnant Women and Family Stability,” discussing maternal health, pregnancy care, and family planning in the context of building stable family relationships [2]. Both events were promoted to students via ASU’s official channels (with webinar links shared on social media) and were well-attended. Importantly, participation was free, and students could anonymously ask questions regarding topics like prenatal care, healthy spacing of children, and the importance of partner support and consent in relationships. These sessions reflect ASU’s effort to provide expert-led sexual and reproductive health education in an accessible format for students.

-Oct 14, 2024 – “Stronger Together” Breast Cancer & Mental Health Day

As part of its SDG3 (Good Health & Well-being) efforts, ASU marked a special event combining Breast Cancer Awareness Month with World Mental Health Day [3]. Titled “Stronger Together,” this full-day on-campus event was held under the patronage of the University President, Prof. Hatem Masri, and organized by the Student Counselling Office and Student Services, in partnership with the campus Health Unit, the Women’s Club, and the Student Council [3]. Healthcare professionals from local hospitals and foundations were invited to campus, creating a mini health fair for students and staff. The event featured educational booths and an expert talk on mental well-being (“The Impact of Positive Thinking and the Components of Happiness on Mental Health”) [3], alongside extensive information on breast cancer prevention and early detection. Free medical check-ups and consultations were provided on-site by doctors and nurses from various Bahraini hospitals [3], giving participants immediate access to screening services and professional advice. Hundreds of students, faculty, and staff engaged in this day-long event, which also distributed educational materials on self-breast exams, healthy lifestyle choices, and resources for psychological support. The Stronger Together initiative not only educated individuals on campus but also empowered them to take charge of their health – reinforcing a community of care and awareness at ASU [3].

Faculty and healthcare partners at ASU’s “Stronger Together” event (Oct 2024) celebrate dual awareness causes – breast cancer (pink ribbons) and mental health (green ribbons). The on-campus event offered free breast cancer screenings and mental health consultations to students and staff [3].

Community Outreach and External Collaboration

Beyond on-campus programs, ASU Bahrain extends its impact through off-campus outreach and partnerships that promote sexual and reproductive health in the broader community. The university’s Community Engagement Office often coordinates with external organizations to involve ASU students and staff in national health campaigns and service activities. For example, ASU representatives have historically participated in public awareness events like the annual breast cancer charity walks (such as the “Spread Hope” Walk-a-Thon organized by the Bahrain Cancer Society) alongside other institutions and volunteers [4]. This hands-on involvement in community health events continued into 2022: on October 15, 2022, ASU faculty, students, and alumni joined the nationwide “Walking with the Blind” march to support disability awareness, underlining the university’s commitment to community health and well-being initiatives [4]. While these particular examples focus on general health and disability, they demonstrate ASU’s practice of engaging students in volunteer outreach related to health education.

In the domain of sexual and reproductive health, ASU leverages partnerships with Bahrain’s Ministry of Health and local healthcare providers to amplify its outreach. The “My Protection” lecture series in 2023, for instance, was conducted under the auspices of the Ministry’s Health Promotion Directorate and aimed not only at ASU students but also at raising broader public awareness on women’s health [2]. By hosting ministry experts as speakers and aligning with national health programs, ASU ensured that the information shared was culturally relevant and medically accurate, thereby indirectly benefitting the wider community (as students could pass on knowledge to their families and social circles).

ASU’s academic staff have also contributed through research and advocacy on reproductive health issues. Notably, the university’s researchers in the College of Health Sciences undertook a study titled “Assessment of sexual and reproductive health knowledge and awareness among single unmarried women living in Bahrain” [2]. This 2023 cross-sectional study evaluated the level of knowledge on topics like contraception, fertility, and STIs among unmarried Bahraini women (ages 17–55) and examined the influence of social media on their attitudes [2]. The findings of this research help inform ASU’s outreach strategies – emphasizing the need to use effective messaging (through platforms popular with youth) to improve sexual health education. By identifying knowledge gaps in the community, ASU demonstrates a data-driven approach to expanding its educational programs in line with national priorities for universal access to reproductive health information [2].

Furthermore, ASU frequently collaborates with healthcare NGOs and hospitals to deliver services. During the on-campus campaigns (e.g. breast cancer awareness days in 2022 and 2024), ASU invited medical teams from Shifa Al-Jazeera Hospital, Aster Clinic, and others to provide screenings and consultations [2] [3]. This collaboration not only enriches the campus events with professional expertise but also strengthens ASU’s ties with the local health sector in joint efforts to promote public health. The university’s willingness to host events at external venues in the past – for example, a large Breast Cancer Awareness campaign at Enma Mall (in partnership with a local volunteer team) and community health lectures at Bahrain Mobility International Centre [2] – indicates that ASU is open to taking health education beyond campus walls when opportunities arise. In recent years (especially post-pandemic), much of the outreach pivoted to online channels and on-campus activities; however, ASU’s staff and students remain engaged in wider community health advocacy, aligning with Bahrain’s national goal of ensuring healthy lives and well-being for all ages.

Free Access and Impact

A distinguishing aspect of ASU Bahrain’s approach is that all sexual and reproductive health services and programs for students are offered free of charge. On-campus counseling and clinic consultations are provided at no cost to ASU students and employees [1], lowering any financial barriers to seeking help. Likewise, the educational workshops, medical exams, and health products offered during campus events come completely free to participants – from complimentary OB/GYN check-ups and pap-smear vouchers, to informational brochures and even healthy lifestyle giveaways, depending on the event [3] [2]. By not charging students for these services, ASU ensures equitable access to vital health care and information, which is especially important for topics like contraception, STI prevention, and mental health where cost or stigma might otherwise deter young people from reaching out.

In summary, Applied Science University in Bahrain integrates on-campus health services with proactive education and community engagement to support student sexual and reproductive health. Between 2022 and 2025, ASU expanded its health outreach through multi-faceted initiatives – establishing an accessible clinic and counseling system on campus, organizing frequent awareness events (both in-person and virtual) on topics from breast cancer to family planning, and partnering with national health authorities to amplify its impact. All these efforts are provided at no extra cost to students, reflecting ASU’s commitment to the United Nations SDG 3 (Good Health & Well-Being) and the specific target of universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services and education [2]. Through these sustained actions, ASU is fostering an informed, healthy campus community and contributing positively to public health outcomes in Bahrain.

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