Effectiveness of a reproductive sexual health education package among school going adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effectiveness of a school based "Adolescent Reproductive Sexual Health Education (ARSHE) Package" in improving students' knowledge on reproductive sexual health matters. METHODS: An ARSHE package originally developed at Child Development Centre, Kerala, modified and approved by ICMR taskforce group was administered in three urban schools (One boys only, one girls only and one co-education) and one co-education rural school at Thiruvananthapuram district, Kerala. The study sample consisted of 1,586 adolescents including 996 boys and 560 girls of class IX and XI. Pre and post intervention knowledge regarding reproductive sexual health matters was assessed using a self-administered questionnaire. RESULTS: In the pre-intervention period, it was observed that majority of adolescents were poorly informed about reproductive sexual health matters, particularly about contraceptives. As compared to boys, girls had much poorer knowledge about prevention of pregnancy and after intervention; there was a statistically significant increase in the knowledge in both boys and girls. Among girls percentage of poor knowledge had reduced significantly from 64.1% to 8.3% and among boys from 37.7% to 3.5%. Similarly, increase in knowledge level was also observed in various other aspects of reproductive and sexual health including, STI, HIV/AIDS and perceptions about premarital sex. CONCLUSIONS: The study results revealed the feasibility and effectiveness of school based reproductive and sexual health education intervention programs for adolescents.

Attitude of parents and teachers towards adolescent reproductive and sexual health education.

OBJECTIVE: To assess parents' and teachers' attitude towards Adolescent Reproductive Sexual Health Education (ARSHE). METHODS: The study group consisted of a random sample of 795 parents and 115 teachers belonging to three urban schools (one boys only, one girls only and one co-education) and one co-education rural school at Thiruvananthapuram district, Kerala, where an ICMR supported ARSHE intervention programme was done subsequently. A self-administered questionnaire for parents and teachers developed by an ICMR taskforce for ARSHE programme was used to assess their opinion on the need, content and the appropriate person to provide adolescent reproductive sexual health education in a school setting. RESULTS: 65.2% of parents and 40.9% teachers have not discussed growth and development issues with their adolescents. Only 5.2% teachers and 1.1% parents discussed sexual aspects with adolescents. 44% of parents agreed that information on HIV/AIDS/STD should be provided. More than 50% of parents were not sure whether information on topics like masturbation, dating, safe sex, contraceptives, pregnancy, abortion and childcare should be provided to adolescents. CONCLUSIONS: Results pointed out the need for introducing reproductive and sexual education in the school setting. Only 1.1% of parents and 5.2% teachers actually discussed sexual aspects with adolescents which highlights the need for parent and teacher awareness programs before ARSHE is introduced in the schools.

Prevalence of depression among adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: To find out the prevalence and pattern of depression among adolescents. METHODS: Adolescents of age group from 13 to 19 belonging to school/college students and school dropouts were assessed using Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI) by a team consisting of a pediatrician, psychologist and PGDCCD (Post Graduate Diploma in Clinical Child Development) students. RESULTS: 11.2% of school dropouts had severe and extreme grades of depression as against 3% among school going and nil among college going adolescents.

Scholastic performance of adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: To find out the factors affecting scholastic performance of adolescents belonging to various groups and the determinants for poor scholastic performance. METHODS: 1892 adolescents of 13 to 19 years age group belonging to different category of schools were interviewed and assessed by a team consisting of pediatrician, psychologist and PG-DCCD* students using Teenage Screening Questionnaire--Trivandrum and Study Habit Rating Scale. Daily study pattern, Family environment, Education status of parents, Personal distractions, and Attitude towards studies were observed as factors affecting scholastic performance. RESULT: On multivariate analysis the predictor variables for poor scholastic performance were; lower studying daily lessons, poor concentration in studies, lower education status of father and unhappy family. CONCLUSION: It is feasible to identify determinants of scholstic performance and plan intervention strategies at school level.