Gender Based Reproductive And Sexual Health Among Urban Adolescent Students in South India.

Abstract

Adolescence is a transitional stage in human life. Adolescents are neither adults nor children and their physical and psycho social needs are unique, hence they experience great deal of confusion in taking right decisions. Adolescence range between the ages of ten to nineteen years and is a stage of behavioral and attitude formation. Awareness and adequate guidance to adolescents in appropriate time helps them to adopt healthy behaviors. If they are not well guided, they are likely to experiment with risky behavior that could harm them and others. Aim: The study aimed to assess the Knowledge on reproductive and sexual health (RSH) and Gender perceptions in school going adolescents. Methodology: Adolescent students between age group of 13 - 18 years (N=150) were selected by random sampling. Single group pre - posttest design was used in the study. Structured questionnaire on identification data, gender attributes and sexual and reproductive health was introduced pre and post intervention. Findings: Pre assessment reveals thirteen percent of students with high gender equality scores and 52% with moderate and 25% with low gender equitable scores. Post assessment shows enhancement in higher gender equality scores to 78% and 22% with moderate scores. 56% of girls and 32% of boys have reported experience of some sort of violence and 12% of them denied of experiencing any sort of violence. Conclusion: Gender balanced approach in child care and education is the need of the hour. Parents, Teachers and health professionals need to understand the delicacy in dealing with adolescent needs and adopt Gendered attitude and educate them healthy behaviors with rationale for sexual and reproductive health.