Educational Program regarding Reproductive Health for Handicapped Adolescents in Sharkia Governorate

Abstract

Background: Handicapped adolescents represent a significant portion of the world’s population and when compared to those without handicapping, are four times more probable to show fair or poor health. Aim: To assess the effect of educational program regarding reproductive health for handicapped adolescents in Sharkia Governorate. Subjects and Methods: It was a Quasi-experimental research design conducted at Al Noor and Al Amal schools in Sharkia Governorate. Purposive sample of ninety one students Blind and Deaf students from El-Amal School for Deaf and Hard for Hearing, and El-Nour School for Blind in Sharkia Governorate. Two tools were used; I.: A structured interview sheet consisting of three parts: Part A; Demographic characteristics of the student. Part B; Student's knowledge about reproductive health. Part C; Students’ menstrual history. II. An observational checklist to assess the student's self-report practice related to perineal care and personal hygiene regarding self-care during menstruation. Results: Generally, the sample was deficient in pre-intervention except for their knowledge about abortion (81.3%), while after implementation of the educational program their knowledge was improved (P≤ 0.001). Additionally, regarding perineal care, 32.9% of handicapped adolescents (blind and deaf) before intervention performed practice about perineal care, while after program implementation the percentage was 82.1% and 86.7% at post-intervention and follow up respectively. Conclusion: This study results provided evidence that after application of the educational intervention among handicapped adolescents (blind & deaf) at Al Noor and Al- Amal schools their knowledge, and practices about reproductive health improved in all components (p < 0.001). Recommendation: Continuous health education programs should be implemented to increase handicapped adolescents’ about awareness of reproductive health and menstrual hygiene practices.