Evaluation of school-based reproductive health education program for adolescent girls

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness of school-based reproductive health education for adolescent girls on the reproductive knowledge level of the girls. Methods: This research was carried out as a quasi-experimental study at two vocational girls high schools, one of which was used as the study school and the other as the control school. The study group (97 students) consisted of three classes representing every grade. The control group consisted of students selected likewise (92 students). Reproductive health education was given to students in the study group for 10 weeks; the control group was not subjected to any educational program. The impact of the program was evaluated with reproductive health knowledge test designed for this study. A pretest evaluated baseline knowledge, and a posttest measured the gain in knowledge. Results: Baseline knowledge score of students in study and control group were similar and low (p>0.05). We found that the reproductive health knowledge level of students in the study group increased significantly after the program of education. Post-test knowledge scores (75.03 ± 13.82) of the students in the study group were higher than those of the control group (36.65 ± 14.17). Conclusions: The results showed students' low baseline knowledge and a good ability to learn. A school-based reproductive health education is needed to promote knowledge and prevention in reproductive health among teenagers. ©Freund Publishing House Ltd.