Puberty Education Research Articles

Comparing skills-based and lecture-based education on female adolescents’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding menstrual health in puberty: A quasi-experimental study

BACKGROUND: Improving the health knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of female adolescents during puberty is essential for their well-being, empowerment, and prospects. To compare the effects of skills-based versus lecture-based education on KAP regarding menstrual health among adolescent girls in Gujarat, India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A quasi-experimental study with 100 girls aged 12–16 years assigned to skills-based (n = 50) or lecture-based (n = 50) 8-week puberty education programs. KAP was assessed at baseline, post-intervention, and 2-month follow-up using validated questionnaires. RESULTS: The skills-based group showed significantly greater improvements in knowledge (P < 0.001), attitudes (P < 0.001), and practices (P = 0.006) from baseline to post-intervention compared to the lecture group. These improvements were sustained at 2-month follow-up (knowledge (P < 0.001), attitudes (P < 0.001), and practices (P = 0.04)). Qualitative feedback highlighted increased enjoyment, engagement, and confidence in applying skills in the skills-based group. CONCLUSIONS: Skills-based menstrual health education was more effective than traditional lecturing for improving KAP among adolescent girls. Interactive learning equips girls with transferable skills for managing menstruation safely and with dignity. Schools should implement skills-focused curricula during puberty.

Impact of Hazardous Chemical Compounds on the Reproductive System Reported in Sanitary Products

Abstract: A particular group of routine essentials, feminine hygiene items, might expose women to plasticizers and antimicrobial agents. The entire world produces and uses a vast amount of chemicals, some of which may be harmful to reproductive health. The majority of chemicals and work environments have not been investigated for their potential to harm reproductive systems up to this point. The Republic of Korea and other recently industrialized nations have accumulated chemicals and other toxicants quickly, endangering well-being, especially their reproductive systems. (UTC) Women frequently utilize feminine hygiene products (FHPs) as personal care products. ( 2 )According to a broad review, sanitary pads have an impact on endometriosis, vaginal microflora, and vulvar or vaginal skin. Female health has also been found to be impacted by social contexts, such as the use of hygiene products or puberty education. (temp) Chemicals that are dangerous now or in the future are included in the category of sanitary products. Infertility, ovarian cancer, skin rashes, and skin darkening are just a few of the problems that can arise from using sanitary products that contain hazardous chemicals and harm the reproductive system. menstrual cycle imbalance. Sanitary products contain a variety of substances, including VOC, furans, phthalates, bisphenols, and dioxin. Jppd Diapers and sanitary pads are composed of synthetic plastic materials, which may leak when being used. In the present study, the quantities of phthalates (DBP, DEHP, DEP, and BBP) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) (methylene chloride, toluene, and xylene) in sanitary pads and diapers were measured.

Interventions of Body Image Disorder among Adolescent: A Literature Review

Adolescence represents the transition from childhood to adulthood and is associated with physical and social changes. Adolescence is a critical period in the development of body image. Critical events or sequences of events such as temptation and rejection can cause body image misperceptions or disturbances. The aim of this literature review is to identify interventions that nurses can do to overcome the problem of body image disorders in adolescents. The method used in the search is the literature study method with a series that includes searching for journal articles using certain keywords from the PubMed and CINAHL databases in the 2018 - 2023 period. The search results obtained 445 articles discussing body image disturbance interventions in adolescents, but only five articles that can meet the inclusion criteria. The results of the study showed that five interventions can be used to treat body image disorders in adolescents, namely application-based interventions (BodiMojo), Healthy Body Image (HBI) interventions, puberty education based on health belief models, application-based Cognitive-behavioral Therapy (CBT), and universal wellness programs. The five interventions proved to be effective in overcoming body image disorders in adolescents.

PERAN ORANGTUA DALAM MENDAMPINGI PUBERTAS REMAJA DENGAN AUTISME DI SEKOLAH LUAR BIASA PEMBINA PEKANBARU

Adolescence is a phase when there is an identity crisis. This is experienced by adolescents with autism. During adolescence, there will be physical, psychological, and emotional changes. Adolescents with autism will experience confusion because adolescence is a transitional period towards adulthood. The purpose of this study is to explore the role of parents in assisting adolescents with autism while puberty. Methods: This study is a qualitative descriptive study using a phenomenological approach. This study was conducted at SLB Pembina Pekanbaru. The population in this study are parents who have adolescents with autism who are experiencing puberty and are currently studying at SLB Pembina Pekanbaru. The sample in this study was taken using a purposive sampling method with a total of 6 participants. Collecting data using in-depth interviews and observation. The collected data were analyzed using the Colaizzi method. Results: The results of this study obtained 4 (four) themes, namely (1) Parental perception related to puberty of adolescents with autism, (2) Knowledge of parents regarding puberty of adolescents with autism, (3) The role of parents about puberty and sexual education to adolescents with autism and (4) The role of parents in instilling religious values in adolescents with autism. Conclusion: This study concluded that adolescents with autism really need to be given more appropriate assistance to make them human beings who are independent and can better control their sexual behavior.

Explaining the lived experiences of school principals regarding the promotion of psychological capital of high school girls through promoting their health.

Psychological capital, a vital factor in adolescents' success, interacts with health and the dimensions of health and is especially important in adolescent girls. The purpose of this research is to explain the lived experiences of school principals regarding the promotion of psychological capital of high school girls through promoting their health. The present study, which is based on a qualitative approach and a descriptive phenomenological method, has been carried out through studying 23 participants who were the principals of girls' high schools in Tabriz in 2022. Purposive sampling method was used and 23 semistructured interviews were conducted until theoretical saturation was reached. Data analysis was conducted based on the Colaizzi's seven-step method. Findings indicate that the lived experiences of school principals regarding the promotion of psychological capital of high school girls through promoting their health can be classified as follows: physical health including physical activity and sports, healthcare (teeth and mouth, eyes, skin, and hair), disease prevention, nutrition, and physical fitness; mental health including spirituality, life skills, academic skills, counselling, and peer relationships; and puberty health including awareness of puberty, appropriate modeling, and sex education. The programs and behaviors related to health dimensions at schools are among the key grounds promoting psychological capital of high school girls.

BAHAYA GADGET DAN BULLIYING SERTA EDUKASI PUBERITAS PADA ANK USIA SEKOLAH DASAR DALAM MENGHADAPI MASA REMAJA DI SDIT AL USWAH 1 BANYUWANGI

Nowdays technological developments are very rapid, a gadget can be defined as a tool that can be easily connected to the internet. If you use gadgets wisely, you will get many benefits. However, if gadget use cannot be controlled it will have a negative impact. One of the negative impacts is dependence or addiction to gadgets. Apart from the use of gadgets, bullying also often occurs nowadays. Around three million children are addicted to gadgets, bullying behavior and abuse in the school environment. Efforts to increase children's awareness regarding the dangers of bullying and the use of gadgets as well as puberty education can be done through health promotion, programs created in schools can be more focused and cost-effective. Health education is one of the effective promotive and preventive efforts that can be carried out to increase the knowledge of students and female students which can influence changes in a person's behavior in order to prevent acts of violence, bullying, or excessive use of technological tools, in addition to achieving personal readiness in facing puberty.

Menstrual hygiene management practice and associated factors among secondary school girls in eastern Ethiopia: The influence of water, sanitation and hygiene facilities.

Inadequate water supply, poor sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities in schools, insufficient puberty education and a lack of hygienic menstrual hygiene management (MHM) items (absorbents) cause girls in developing countries like Ethiopia to view menstruation as shameful and uncomfortable. However, there was little evidence of female MHM practice and associated factors among secondary school girls in eastern Ethiopia. To assess MHM practice and associated factors among secondary school girls in eastern Ethiopia. Institutional-based cross-sectional study design was conducted. A total of 473 secondary schoolgirls were selected using a stratified sampling technique. Data were collected using a self-administered structured questionnaire, double-entered to Epidata version 3.1 and exported to SPSS version 26 for analysis. Descriptive analysis was computed using frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviations. Multivariable logistic regression was applied to assess the association of the school water, sanitation and hygiene facilities with MHM. Adjusted odd ratio (AOR) with its 95% confidence interval was computed to show the strength of the association between dependent and independent variables. The goodness of fit of the model was tested by the Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness of fit test. Out of 473 study participants, 72.93% of them (95% CI: 68.74-76.76) reported good MHM practices. The study also found that availability of continuous water supply (AOR = 2.40, 95% CI: (1.42-4.01)); types of toilet (AOR = 2.01, 95% CI: (1.20-3.40)), confined space (AOR = 3.02, 95% CI: (1.49-4.76)) and having females' toilets alone inside in the school (AOR = 2.70, 95% CI: (1.20-4.40)) were significantly associated with female students' good MHM practice. The survey revealed that some of the secondary schoolgirls practiced poor menstrual hygiene management (MHM), which needs further improvement. The study also found that the availability of continuous water supply in the school, types of toilet facility in the school, availability of private space to manage periods at school, learning about MHM in schools and availability of female toilets kept locked inside were factors significantly associated with MHM practice of students, which require integration of Zonal Health and education bureau to jointly work towards the improvement of school WASH facilities.

Disentangling associations between pubertal development, healthy activity behaviors, and sex in adolescent social networks.

With the onset of puberty, youth begin to choose their social environments and develop health-promoting habits, making it a vital period to study social and biological factors contextually. An important question is how pubertal development and behaviors such as physical activity and sleep may be differentially linked with youths' friendships. Cross-sectional statistical network models that account for interpersonal dependence were used to estimate associations between three measures of pubertal development and youth friendships at two large US schools drawn from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health. Whole-network models suggest that friendships are more likely between youth with similar levels of pubertal development, physical activity, and sleep. Sex-stratified models suggest that girls' friendships are more likely given a similar age at menarche. Attention to similar pubertal timing within friendship groups may offer inclusive opportunities for tailored developmental puberty education in ways that reduce stigma and improve health behaviors.

Attitudes Towards Menstrual Health by Female In-School Adolescents: A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study in Southwest Nigeria

Poor awareness and stigmatising experiences influence menstrual attitudes. The study compared menstruators’ cognitive attitudes towards menstrual health (MH) in public and private schools. A three-stage sampling identified respondents and outcomes reported by descriptive and inferential statistics (p < 0.05). Negative feelings (20.3% vs. 12.2%), Openness (7.3% vs. 17.2%) and living with menstruation (38.% vs. 63.9%) were significantly different, while positive feelings (36.2% vs 30.6%), menstrual symptoms (22.6% vs. 30.0%) and menarche acceptance (28.% vs. 35.6%) were similar. Negative attitude predominates (87.4%) and is negatively predicted by Yoruba ethnicity (77.9%). Overall, menstruators exhibited negative menstrual attitudes. Puberty education through ethnic constructs is recommended to improve attitudes.

PREVENTION OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE THROUGH PUBERTY EDUCATION AT SDIT MUTIARA INSAN BEKASI REGENCY

Compared to a few decades ago, puberty now happens earlier, and the frequency of sexual assault is rising wildly. The purpose of this study is to examine how puberty education affects high-grade elementary school students' awareness of sexual assault prevention. With a facilitator in each class, the research design employs a quasi-experimental format of concurrent lectures and conversations lasting 60 minutes. 22 fourth-graders, 31 fifth-graders, and 31 sixth-graders make up the participants. Ten true-false questions from a pre-and post-test were used to gauge knowledge. The T-test was utilized in data analysis. The understanding of high school students significantly increased (P value 0.0001). All class discussions showed an exceptionally lively exchange of thoughts, and several students were particularly aggressive and engaged in raising issues of psychological (the recognition and control of emotions) and social (interpersonal connections and communication) interest. Continuous education is important, along with teaching strategies that are not the same as pedagogy or andragogy but rather suitable for the typical characteristics of adolescents.

Staff perceptions of support for early menarche in Australian primary schools: a qualitative study

ABSTRACT The age of the onset of menstruation, termed menarche, has been declining for decades worldwide. Approximately 12% of Australian girls reach menarche between eight to 11 years of age. Current health and physical education subject guidelines from the Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority state that puberty education should be introduced to students between year levels five to six (ages 10–12) when many have already begun puberty. To explore how girls experiencing early menarche are currently supported in Australian primary schools, semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with 15 primary school staff from separate schools, including teachers, principals, a school services officer, and a school counsellor. Thematic analysis identified three main themes, (1) the prevalence of deficit models of early menarche and children’s capacity to know; (2) gendered gatekeeping of menstruation knowledge; and (3) systemic barriers and inconsistencies in menstruation education. Our analysis complements but extends recent calls for improvements to menstruation education in Australian schools. Affirmative menstrual support practices and facilities are needed in primary schools to normalise and encourage conversations with students about menarche and menstruation irrespective of age, gender, class or culture.

NAVIGATING PUBERTY WITH SPECIAL NEEDS TEENAGERS: EMPOWERING PARENTS THROUGH A SEXUALITY EDUCATION WORKSHOP

Adolescence is a crucial phase of development, marked by significant physical, emotional, and social changes. Navigating these changes for teenagers with special needs can be particularly challenging. Addressing these topics is essential to ensure holistic well-being and healthy development of teenagers with special needs. This workshop aimed to equip parents with the necessary knowledge, skills, and strategies to navigate conversations about puberty and sexuality effectively. This paper is to present the findings of this workshop focused on puberty and sexuality education for parents of teenagers with special needs. A diverse group of parents of teenagers with special needs were recruited through Facebook groups, special schools, and community organizations. Prior to the workshop participants were invited to answer questions regarding their concerns about their special needs child sexuality. A total of 150 parents responded to this qualitative survey. The workshop includes a slot for a sexuality education lecture and a hands-on practical session focusing on managing menstruation and masturbation. A total of 69 participants for the workshop were required to answer pre and post-questionnaires – to determine the knowledge, perceptions, dedication, and willingness in delivering sexual information to teenagers with special needs.

Variation in executive function relates to BMI increases in youth who were initially of a healthy weight in the ABCD Study.

The study aim was to determine whether (A) differences in executive function (EF) and cognition precede weight gain or (B) weight gain causes changes to EF and cognition. Data were gathered from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study (release 4.0; ages 9-12 years old [N = 2794]; 100% had healthy weight at baseline [i.e., 9/10 years old], 12.4% had unhealthy weight by ages 11/12 years). EF and cognition were assessed across several domains (e.g., impulsivity, inhibitory control, processing speed, memory); BMI was calculated from height and weight. Nested random-effects mixed models examined (A) BMI ~ EF × Time (i.e., variation in EF/cognition precedes weight gain) and (B) EF ~ BMI × Time (weight gain causes changes to EF/cognition) and controlled for sex, puberty, and caregiver education; random effects were site and subject. Variation in impulsivity, memory, learning, and processing speed was associated with greater increases in BMI trajectories from 9 to 12 years old. Weight gain was associated with a decrease in inhibitory control, but no other associations were observed. Underlying variation in EF and cognition may be important for weight gain, but 2 years of weight gain may not be enough to have clinical implications for EF and cognition beyond inhibitory control. These findings suggest that more attention should be paid to the inclusion of EF programs in obesity prevention efforts.

Mapping the Expertise and Understanding of Menarche, Menstrual Hygiene, and Menstrual Health among Adolescent Ladies in Low- and Center-Profit Nations

Mapping the Expertise and Understanding of Menarche, Menstrual Hygiene, and Menstrual Health among Adolescent Ladies in Low- and Center-Profit Nations

Effectiveness of a menstrual health education program on psychological well-being and behavioral change among adolescent girls in rural Uganda.

Objectives. Menstrual hygiene management is one of the main barriers to girls' education attainment in low-and middle-income countries. Poor access to sanitary products and lack of menstrual knowledge affect students' performance at school compared to the opposite sex. Limited evidence is available to provide solutions for schoolgirls. This study examines the effectiveness of menstrual health education programs on well-being and behavioral change among adolescent girls in rural Uganda. Methods. A cluster randomized controlled trial was conducted across 3 schools, including 66 girls aged 13-17 years, in a rural village in Mukono District, Uganda. Schools were randomly allocated to 2 groups: i) health education program intervention and ii) control group (no intervention). Results. After 5 weeks of the Health Education Program, the schoolgirls in experiment groups showed significantly less fear of sharing the menstruation-related concern with parents and pupils [Mean Difference (MD)=0.87, P=0.029) (MD=2.02, P=0.000), and the sense of shameful feelings during menstruation (MD=1.65, P= 0.004); conversely, the fear to go to school during menstruation did not differ between experiment and control groups (MD=-0.04, P=0.94). However, the changes in feeling comfortable having a period at school were significantly different between the experiment and control groups (P=0.001). Conclusions. The study demonstrated promising results of a low-cost intervention for enhancing girls' menstrual health education in a low-income context. Puberty education and reusable pad sewing provision were strongly associated with improving schoolgirls' psychosocial wellbeing related to menstrual management.

Reusable period products: use and perceptions among young people in Victoria, Australia

BackgroundReusable menstrual products have expanded the choices available for menstrual care and can offer long-term cost and environmental benefits. Yet, in high-income settings, efforts to support period product access focus on disposable products. There is limited research to understand young people’s product use and preferences in Australia.MethodsQuantitative and open-text qualitative data were collected through an annual cross-sectional survey of young people (aged 15–29) in Victoria, Australia. The convenience sample was recruited through targeted social media advertisements. Young people who reported menstruating in the past 6 months (n = 596) were asked questions about their menstrual product use, use of reusable materials, product priorities and preferences.ResultsAmong participants, 37% had used a reusable product during their last menstrual period (24% period underwear, 17% menstrual cup, 5% reusable pads), and a further 11% had tried using a reusable product in the past. Reusable product use was associated with older age (age 25–29 PR = 3.35 95%CI = 2.09–5.37), being born in Australia (PR = 1.74 95%CI = 1.05–2.87), and having greater discretionary income (PR = 1.53 95%CI = 1.01–2.32). Participants nominated comfort, protection from leakage and environmental sustainability as the most important features of menstrual products, followed by cost. Overall, 37% of participants reported not having enough information about reusable products. Having enough information was less common among younger participants (age 25–29 PR = 1.42 95%CI = 1.20–1.68) and high school students (PR = 0.68 95%CI = 0.52–0.88). Respondents highlighted the need for earlier and better information, challenges navigating the upfront cost and availability of reusables, positive experiences with reusables, and challenges for use, including cleaning reusables and changing them outside the home.ConclusionsMany young people are using reusable products, with environmental impacts an important motivator. Educators should incorporate better menstrual care information in puberty education and advocates should raise awareness of how bathroom facilities may support product choice.

Lessons from Latina Sex Ed School: Reflections on a Parent-Led Puberty Education Program for Latina Girls

ABSTRACT This article documents the framework, central principles and curricular plan for a parent-led puberty education program facilitated with a small group of Latina adolescents. In a moment of increasing awareness of the centrality of race, puberty education has remained steeped in a colorblind framework; this parent-led program seeks to offer a counterpoint to that. The author hopes this framework helps inspire a conversation among educators, parents and youth workers about what it means to think about puberty education from the lens of race and in doing so, how we grapple meaningfully with what it means to formulate and articulate a feminist approach to puberty education for Latina girls.

Exploring a faith-based approach to puberty education in Tanzania.

Many adolescents in Tanzania do not receive timely and comprehensive puberty education. This study explored faith-based organizations a site for puberty education. Two puberty books, each developed through participatory research with Tanzanian adolescents and stakeholders, were promoted to 177 Christian denomination churches in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania to understand the factors that faith leaders considered in their decision to purchase puberty books, or share information about the intervention to their peers and congregants. Data collection included routine monitoring via weekly reports and ethnographic observation. Data were analyzed using the Ecological Framework for Health Promotion to capture how individual, interpersonal, and institutional factors influenced leaders' decisions to purchase or promote puberty books. At the individual level, leaders cited their personal experiences in their support for the intervention, but leaders' time and confidence in their ability to effectively promote books to others were barriers to participation. Interpersonally, the diffusion of information between church leaders, particularly when information came from well-known or respected leaders, emerged as an important factor in leaders' willingness to promote books. At the institutional level, leaders' decisions were impacted by resources, institutional culture, and institutional hierarchy. Importantly, twelve churches in the sample purchased books. Limited financial resources and the need to receive approval from denominational leaders were discussed by leaders as barriers to purchasing books. Despite research showing high religiosity in Tanzania, the role of religious institutions in providing puberty education has remained unexplored. Our results inform future research and practice by providing an articulation of the socioecological factors that played a role in faith leaders' decisions related to puberty education interventions in Tanzania.

The Impact of Chinese Sex Education on the Younger Generation: Gender Relations, Self-Awareness, and Awareness of Sexual Protection

Adolescent sex education refers to the education of adolescents on sexual physiology, sexual psychology, and sexual morality. The Chinese public avoids the word "sex" and the government rarely publishes relevant policies and regulations, for example, it rarely mentions "adolescent sex education" directly, but uses "puberty education" and "physiology education" instead of "puberty education", "physiology education" or "reproductive health education". This is related to the long-standing suppression of "sex" topics in traditional Chinese culture. However, the lack of sex education for adolescents has caused many social problems in contemporary education. Therefore, this study will investigate the significance of sex education for contemporary Chinese adolescents. This article will explore the current situation of sex education in China, how sex education affects adolescents' growth, and how different sectors that adolescents come into contact with during their growth should do a good job in sex education.

Engaging boys in menstrual hygiene management (MHM) interventions in Bangladeshi schools: a pilot study to assess acceptability and feasibility

AbstractEducating boys about puberty and menstruation has been hypothesized to aid in reducing menstrual stigma and negative attitudes about menstruation. We developed and piloted a school-based intervention for girls and boys to increase knowledge about puberty and foster a more supportive environment for menstruating schoolgirls. In this sub-study, we conducted 24 formative in-depth interviews and four group vignette exercises for schoolboys to develop the intervention package. We then carried out pre- and postintervention surveys and conducted four follow-up focus group discussions to determine the feasibility, acceptability, and effects of the intervention package among schoolboys and to develop recommendations for scale up. During the formative phase, boys reported minimal knowledge concerning puberty but felt puberty education was vital for all. Following the intervention, boys' awareness of menstruation increased compared to baseline [PD: 15%; 95% confidence interval (CI): 2, 29]. The reported comfort level of discussing puberty-related issues in a school club or with friends also increased [PD: 13%; 95% CI: 2, 24]. In focus groups, boys reported finding the sessions helpful and informative. Engagement of schoolboys, combined with well-delivered intervention materials and social and behavior change communication interventions is feasible and can contribute to a more supportive and girl-friendly environment in schools.