Knowledge and Awareness about Reproductive Health Education among Urban and Rural Adolescent Girls A School Based Intervention Study in Jammu

Abstract

Adolescence is a transitional period which is characterized by rapid physical growth, significant emotional, psychological and spiritual changes. This period can be hazardous for adolescent health if proper guidance and counseling is lacking from parents and relatives and reliable knowledge in schools. The various cultural and social barriers in India make addressing needs of adolescents a huge challenge. The family and educational institutions exercise greater control over the sexual behavior of unmarried youth in India than in the West. Under this backdrop, the present study, Knowledge and Awareness about Reproductive Health Education among Urban and Rural Adolescent Girls: A School Based Interventional Study in Jammu was undertaken to provide an insight into the topic and study the effectiveness of reproductive health intervention program among these school girls (14-17 years) in Jammu district. A quasi-experimental pre-test, post-test research design was conducted to evaluate adolescent school going girls knowledge and awareness about reproductive health before and after the intervention program. The study was conducted in rural and urban schools of seven Educational Zones viz, Bhalwal, Bishna, Gandhinagar, Jammu, Miran Sahib, R.S. Pura and Satwari of Jammu district. The Sample comprised of 700 adolescent girls, studying in government and private schools of urban area and 700 adolescent girls studying in government and private schools of rural area. Thus, a total sample of 1400 adolescent girls was included in the study. In order to assess our objectives the tools used for data collection were i) self constructed questionnaire to know the demographic profile and menstrual practices followed by adolescent girls, ii) knowledge test, which consisted of open and close ended Questions on growth and development during adolescence, Puberty and Menstruation, Pregnancy, Abortion and RTI/STD/HIV/AIDS, to assess the knowledge before and after the intervention and iii) feedback form...