Impact of health education on knowledge of reproductive and sexual health among adolescent girls. An interventional study in rural area of Amritsar

Introduction : adolescent is an important period of development that follows the onset of puberty during which a young person develops from a child into an adult.poor reproductive health knowledge in adolescence is associated with the disease, abuse, unwanted pregnancy and death. sexual activity in adolescent period is associated with ignorance about sex and sexuality that can lead to teenage pregnancies leading to illegal abortion, increased IMR and MMR. Aims and objectives :to assess the impact of health education on knowledge of reproductive and sexual health. Material and methods: the study was conducted in 13-17 years old adolescent girls in rural area of Amritsar. A total of 230 adolescent girls were participated. study was conducted in three phase, pre intervention, intervention and post intervention phase. semi-structured preformed questionnaire in their vernacular was used for data collection. Results : before intervention only one fourth of the respondents 25.21%heard about HIV/AIDS and after intervention almost 2/3rd (64.43%) heard about HIV/AIDS.less than 1/4th( 22.16%)knew that STDs can be prevented by avoiding multiple sexual partners, treating infected partner, using condoms and after intervention more than 2/3rd (70%)had knowledge. Conclusion after health education session more number of adolescents girls attained knowledge regarding reproductive and sexual health so regular information ,education and communication sessions need to be held.