Indian Journal of Public Health Research & Development

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Adolescent Girls and Reproductive Health: an Interventional Study in a Slum of Vijayawada, AP


Affiliations
1 Dept. of Community Medicine, GSL Medical College, Rajahmundry,A.P. 533296, India
2 Dept. of Community Medicine at GSL Medical College, Rajahmundry, AP., India
3 Dept. of Community Medicine Allianze College of Medical Sciences, Penang, Malaysia
     

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Background: Adolescent period is characterized by physical, mental and emotional changes to prepare for adult role in almost all aspects of life including marriage, motherhood and earning. Lack of knowledge, skills , access to contraception and vulnerability to sexual abuse, particularly among the slum dwellers, put the adolescents at high risk of unwanted pregnancy, early child birth, unsafe abortion and RTI including HIV/AIDS. Hence to avoid these problems, they should be aware regarding all aspects of reproductive health

Objectives: 1.To study the knowledge, attitude and practice regarding reproductive health among the adolescent girls and educate them about reproductive health. 2. To evaluate after imparting health education.

Materials and Methods: Around 450 adolescent girls were interviewed with the help of a pretested questionnaire. The mothers were given health education regarding various aspects of reproductive health including HIV/AIDS&followed up after three months to assess their knowledge&practice.

Results: Only 48.89% of the study subjects were aware of Reproductive Health which significantly increased after health education(p=0.000). The awareness was more among the girls whose mothers were more educated (p=0.000). Significant number of girls were practicing menstrual hygiene and were aware of contraceptives including emergency contraceptives, minimum legal of marriage, sexually transmitted diseases, HIV/AIDS including modes of transmission and prevention after giving health education ( p=0.000).

Conclusions: Most of the adolescent girls were not aware regarding Reproductive health which significantly increased in the follow up visit after health education. Hence IEC activities, and awareness campaigns regarding reproductive health including HIV/AIDS to be intensified and organized in the slum area.


Keywords

Adolescent Girls, Reproductive Health, Awareness, Contraceptives, Menstrual Hygiene
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  • Adolescent Girls and Reproductive Health: an Interventional Study in a Slum of Vijayawada, AP

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Authors

Sipra Komal Jena
Dept. of Community Medicine, GSL Medical College, Rajahmundry,A.P. 533296, India
Vijaya Kumar Uthakalla
Dept. of Community Medicine at GSL Medical College, Rajahmundry, AP., India
Sapna S. Patil
Dept. of Community Medicine Allianze College of Medical Sciences, Penang, Malaysia

Abstract


Background: Adolescent period is characterized by physical, mental and emotional changes to prepare for adult role in almost all aspects of life including marriage, motherhood and earning. Lack of knowledge, skills , access to contraception and vulnerability to sexual abuse, particularly among the slum dwellers, put the adolescents at high risk of unwanted pregnancy, early child birth, unsafe abortion and RTI including HIV/AIDS. Hence to avoid these problems, they should be aware regarding all aspects of reproductive health

Objectives: 1.To study the knowledge, attitude and practice regarding reproductive health among the adolescent girls and educate them about reproductive health. 2. To evaluate after imparting health education.

Materials and Methods: Around 450 adolescent girls were interviewed with the help of a pretested questionnaire. The mothers were given health education regarding various aspects of reproductive health including HIV/AIDS&followed up after three months to assess their knowledge&practice.

Results: Only 48.89% of the study subjects were aware of Reproductive Health which significantly increased after health education(p=0.000). The awareness was more among the girls whose mothers were more educated (p=0.000). Significant number of girls were practicing menstrual hygiene and were aware of contraceptives including emergency contraceptives, minimum legal of marriage, sexually transmitted diseases, HIV/AIDS including modes of transmission and prevention after giving health education ( p=0.000).

Conclusions: Most of the adolescent girls were not aware regarding Reproductive health which significantly increased in the follow up visit after health education. Hence IEC activities, and awareness campaigns regarding reproductive health including HIV/AIDS to be intensified and organized in the slum area.


Keywords


Adolescent Girls, Reproductive Health, Awareness, Contraceptives, Menstrual Hygiene

References