ABSTRACT
Background: Adolescence is a phase of transition from childhood to adulthood. It is during this period that the adolescents acquire sexual and reproductive maturity. Health education given to adolescent girls helps build their knowledge, motivates them to improve and maintain their health, prevent diseases and reduce risky behaviors among them hence the study was done to assess the effectiveness of health education among rural adolescent girls.Methods: An educational interventional study was carried out among adolescent girls in one secondary and one senior secondary school in Hoskote, rural Bangalore. Initial survey was done to assess the baseline knowledge regarding adolescent health issues using semi structured, self-administered questionnaire. Health educational sessions were conducted using audio-visual aids such as slide presentations, charts, posters and handouts. The education was followed by an interactive session with the students to clarify doubts and the impact of intervention was assessed.Results: The study comprised of 150 students (75 secondary and 75 senior secondary school girls). It was found that overall general knowledge regarding adolescent changes, menstruation and menstrual hygiene, pregnancy, contraception and sexually transmitted infections including HIV/AIDS was poor among the study participants. Following educational session statistically significant improvement was observed among the students as detected by improved correct response rates.Conclusions: Study successfully proved that adolescent health education was effective in improving the knowledge among adolescent girls in rural area.
ABSTRACT
Background: Children are the most vulnerable and easily influence able part of society and thus when subjected to health education the knowledge they gain and the practices they develop are more likely to stay with them throughout their life hence the study was done to assess the impact of health education among school students.Methods: Educational intervention study was carried out in three primary schools in Hoskote, rural Bangalore among 9-11 years school children. Initial survey was done to assess the KAP levels in 9 to 11 years old school children regarding prevention of common childhood disease and intervention was done using an interactive story board to provide health education and impact of intervention was assessed.Results: The study comprised of 200 students (112 boys and 88 girls). It was found that overall general knowledge and attitude regarding prevention of common childhood diseases was poor among the study participants. Following educational sessions using interactive story board (edutainment) a significant improvement was observed in knowledge and attitude of the students as detected by improved correct response rates.Conclusions: Interactive story board was successful in providing educational intervention in 9 to 11 year old school children which may help to prevent common avoidable childhood diseases.