Knowledge regarding changes in adolescence among health service providers and teachers in a rural block of a District-Jhajjar (Haryana)

Abstract

Context: 'Adolescence' is a period of substantial change and hence associated with the risk of many health-related problems. Teachers and grass-root level health service providers i.e. multi-purpose health workers (female/male) are one of the key stakeholders who are to understand and respond to adolescent needs. Aims: To assess knowledge level regarding changes in adolescence among teachers and multi-purpose health workers. Settings and Design: It was a cross-sectional study conducted in rural block in the field practice area attached to Department of Community Medicine, Pt BD Sharma PGIMS Rohtak (India). Materials and Methods: All the 49 multi-purpose health workers (male and female) [ie., MPHW (M and F)] who were working in the study area are those posted at the sub centers, Primary Health Centers, or Community Health Centers for more than six months were included in the study. In addition, four large schools with strength of more than 250 students (two girls and two boys/co-ed Senior Secondary Schools) were randomly selected by lottery technique. All the 94 teachers who were involved in teaching the classes 9-12 in those schools were included in the study. Data were collected on predesigned, pre-tested and semi-structured schedules by conducting face-to-face interviews while maintaining the confidentiality of the responses. Statistical analysis used: Proportions, chi-square test. Results and Conclusion: 68/94 (72.3%) teachers were able to mention at least one sexual change which occur in adolescents. Among the sexual changes, menarche was the most common change familiar to the teachers. 48/49 (97.96%) workers were aware of at least one sexual change. Behavioral changes (emotional/social changes) were the ones which are least conversant to both health workers 10/49 (20.4%) and the teachers 24/94 (25.5%).