Effectiveness of an educational intervention on sexual and reproductive health education directed at school teachers in the Kalutara district

Ruvini Hettiarachchi ,S Sivayogan,S A P Gnanissara

doi:10.4038/sljss.v31i1-2.5461

Abstract

The global trend of early onset of puberty combined with increased age at marriage leading to an increase in premarital sex is also observed in Sri Lanka. In contrast, less priority is given for sexual and reproductive health education in Sri Lankan schools. The objective of this study was to plan, implement and evaluate the effectiveness of an educational intervention on Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH). A quasi-experimental study was designed based on a situational analysis of existing SRH education in schools and its effectiveness was evaluated. A four-day teacher- training workshop was carried out for the thirty one teachers in the intervention group. Thirty teachers in the control area were exposed to the pre-existing SRH seminars. After the intervention, teachers in both groups were made to teach SRH lessons to Grade Nine students in their respective schools to measure the impact of the intervention. Sixty-one teachers and 914 students aged 15-16 years completed self-reported pre and post intervention questionnaires on SRH knowledge and attitudes. Scores for pre-post tests of each study group and post-post tests between intervention and control groups were compared. Post intervention teaching skills of teachers in both study groups were also assessed using standard checklists. Teachers in the intervention group had higher mean scores for post intervention knowledge on pregnancy and related issues [intervention group - 21.9(11.5), control group - 19.6(13.0); p-0.02]; and Sexually Transmitted Infections [intervention group - 12.9(9.5), control group - 7.5(4.6); p-0.01]. Mean scores for teaching skills were significantly improved in the intervention group [intervention group -83.0 (20.3), control group-58.8 (33.1); p-0.002]. There was also a significant improvement in SRH knowledge [intervention group – 28.5(13.6), control group - 21.8 (12.9); p-0.02] and attitude [intervention group - 8.4, control group -3.1; p-0.017] among students in the intervention group. Developing and delivering a new educational intervention for SRH education based on situational analysis proved successful with regard to the improvement of SRH teaching skills and knowledge among teachers and students. Thus it is recommended to use this intervention in more settings and to include it into the school curriculum. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/sljss.v31i1-2.5461 Sri Lanka Journal of Social Sciences 2008/2009 31/32 (1 & 2) 17-25

Highlights

The global trend of early onset of puberty and increased age at marriage, leading to increase in premarital sex is observed in Sri Lanka where the mean age of menarche is 11.4 and age of marriage is 24.6 years (Ministry of Health, Nutrition and Welfare 2002)
The results of the Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and informal interviews revealed the importance of SRH education in schools and the school was identified as the most appropriate place to educate children on Sexual and Reproductive Health
School children and their parents expect good SRH education to be established in schools

Summary

Introduction

The global trend of early onset of puberty and increased age at marriage, leading to increase in premarital sex is observed in Sri Lanka where the mean age of menarche is 11.4 and age of marriage is 24.6 years (Ministry of Health, Nutrition and Welfare 2002). The period between menarche and marriage is seen as a risk period for reproductive health of adolescents as they initiate and continue sexual activities (WHO 1999). These factors may lead to sexual abuse, unwanted pregnancies, unsafe abortions, maternal deaths and contracting STIs including HIV/AIDS (WHO 1998). R. Hettiarachchi et al (SRH) education programmes are carried out in many countries, only a few have evaluated its impact on adolescents’ sexual behaviour (WHO 1999; WHO 1998; Ying et al 2004). It has been shown that well-designed SRH education programmes can positively influence the delay in initiation of sexual activity, reduce the number of sexual partners and reduce unplanned pregnancy and STIs (Stiernborg et al 1996; Susan et al 2000)

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