Reproductive Health Of Adolescent Girls Research Articles

Assessment the reproductive health of adolescent girls with overweight and obesity living in a large industrial region.

Assessment the reproductive health of adolescent girls with overweight and obesity living in a large industrial region.

Gambaran Pengetahuan dan Perilaku Kebersihan Reproduksi Terkait Keputihan pada Remaja Putri di SMKN X Bekasi

Background: The reproductive system in women and men are different; the reproductive organs are sensitive organs that require special care. Knowledge about reproductive hygiene is important for adolescents because adolescents will enter puberty, some adolescents experience vaginal discharge before or after menstruation, there are also adolescents who experience abnormal/pathological vaginal discharge. The importance of knowledge is given to adolescents related to knowledge about reproductive hygiene and vaginal discharge in adolescent girls needs to understand vaginal discharge. When adolescent girls experience vaginal discharge they know how to maintain hygiene in their reproductive organs. According to (WHO, 2014), the number of adolescent reproductive health situations amounted to 1.2 billion or 18% of the world's population and 2010 as many as 43.5 million or about 18% of the population of Indonesia, Bogor regency is a district that is densely populated with a population of 5,331,149 people. The number of female population above the age of 10 years who have the highest diploma of junior high school and vocational school in 2015 is 807,931 people or about 15.15% of the total population of Bogor Regency because of the large population of adolescent girls and there are long-term effects on the reproductive health of adolescent girls in Bogor Regency. Based on the description above, this study is interested in taking samples of adolescent girls at SMKN X Bekasi. The aims of this research is to find out the description of knowledge and behavior of reproductive hygiene related to vaginal discharge in adolescent girls, because at that place no research has been conducted related to knowledge and behavior of reproductive hygiene related to vaginal discharge.Methods: This research was a descriptive study with a quantitative approach; primary data collection was obtained by direct collection through filling out questionnaires. Sampling in this study used probability sampling method, with simple random sampling, calculation using 10% Slovin formula,Results: The results of this study indicated that there were students as many as 34% of respondents with low knowledge and 46% of respondents behave badly from a total of 90 respondents.Conclusion: It can be concluded from this study that many students of SMKN X Bekasi have low knowledge and poor behavior.

PREVALENCE OF GYNAECOLOGICAL PROBLEMS AND ASSOCIATED LIFESTYLE HABITS AMONG ADOLESCENT GIRLS

A cross sectional study was conducted to assess the prevalence of gynaecological problems and associated lifestyle habits among adolescent girls. Objectives:1. To determine the prevalence of gynaecological problems among adolescent girls 2.To assess the lifestyle habits of adolescent girls 3.To nd out the association between gynaecological problems and lifestyle habits. In this study quantitative research approach and Methodology: cross-sectional research design were used. The study was based on health belief model. Four schools from Trivandrum district were chosen for the present study. 440 subjects who satised inclusion criteria were selected. The tools used to collect data were socio personal proforma, gynaecological problem assessment questionnaire, PCOD risk assessment checklist, Standardized PMS screening tool and self-reported lifestyle habits assessing rating scale. Data were analyzed by using SPSS 20. The ndings revealed tha Results: t severe menstrual pain was observed in 26.6% of adolescent girls. Nearly 46.4% of subjects had mild and 24.3% had severe risk of PCOD. One third of subjects (30.2%) had moderate to severe symptoms of PMS and 32.1% had Premenstrual dysphoric disorder. There was a highly signicant association between dysmenorrhea, PCOD and PMS with lifestyle habits at 0.001 level of signicance and there was signicant association between excessive vaginal discharge with lifestyle habits at 0.01 level of signicance. The results suggest that Conclusion: dietary habits and physical activities directly affect the reproductive health of adolescent girls. Hence its important to promote health awareness session on adolescent health and lifestyle habits for preventing the many present and future gynaecological problems

Rajaswala Paricharya- An Essential Approach Towards Female Through the Lens of Ayurveda Science

Ayurveda recognizes menstruation as a physiological and self-purifying process; it is also governed by the actions of the Doshas. Ayurveda has prescribed a mode of life to be adopted by menstruating women - a series of Do’s and Don’ts - called as Rajaswala Paricharya, which aims to protect the health of the menstruating woman and prevent any health defects in the child, in case any conception happens. Menstrual Dysfunctions Risk Factors are conventionally divided into social and medico-biological. Unfortunately, it has been observed that the Rajaswala Paricharya is neither being publicized nor followed by the women in modern era. Also, the wrong information spread by media and manufacturers of sanitary napkins. WHO, UNICEF, NHM-GOI all are emphasizing on improving the reproductive health of adolescent girls and supports the accessible WASH facilities. But, they do not emphasize certain do’s and don'ts during menstrual days. So, Ayurveda physician has to promote this Paricharya for enhancement of reproductive health of female. With little effort, women naturally increased observance of the restrictions as they practiced them and experienced the benefits. Aim of this is to avoid vitiation of Vata, Pitta and Kapha, prevent formation of Ama and restore the Bala and nurture the Agni of the female. Thus, developing a correct and a positive outlook towards menstruation i.e., Rajaswala Paricharya is as important as practicing them. Girls may be benefited from it by responding appropriately to physical and psychological changes that occur during menstruation as well as by experiencing fewer symptoms.

Reproductive Health of Adolescent Girls Is A Medical And Social Issue

Reproductive Health of Adolescent Girls Is A Medical And Social Issue

A Study to Assess the Effectiveness of Structure Teaching Programme on Knowledge and Attitude Regarding Reproductive Health among Adolescent Girls in A Selected School Bengaluru

IndiaAbstractBackground And Purpose: Adolescence is a transitional stage of physical and psychological development that generally occurs during the period from puberty to adulthood. It is a decisive age for girls. They often lack knowledge regarding reproductive health and are vulnerable to sexual assault and exploitation. This creates various problems like menstrual problems, STD, unwanted pregnancy unsafe abortions etc. Especially in India the special needs of adolescent girls are rarely addressed. The present study is aimed to assess the knowledge and attitude regarding reproductive health among adolescent’s girls in a selected school, Bengaluru.Methods: Quasi- Experimental Research Design was adopted for the present study. The self-administered structured questionnaire was used to collect data related to demographic variables and knowledge questionnaire whereas 5-point rating scale was used to assess the attitude of the adolescent girls regarding reproductive health. 60 adolescent girls were selected by simple random sampling technique. The main study was conducted from 18/02/2016 to 26/02/2016 at Royal Concorde International School, Bengaluru and the data collected was analyzed and interpreted based on descriptive and inferential statistics.Result: The present study showed that the pre-test mean knowledge score obtained by the students was 11.23 and the pre-test mean attitude score was 41.50. After administering structured teaching programme regarding reproductive health, post-test mean knowledge score increased to 23.07 and posttest mean attitude score increased to83.25. The obtained t value (30.20) was found to be highly significant at 0.001 levels. The correlation (r = 0.132) between pretest knowledge and attitude was found to be highly significant (p=0.00) at 0.001 level whereas posttest correlation (r=0.412, p=0.00) was significant at 0.001 level. Thus, it was evident that the developed structured teaching programme was effective in increasing the knowledge and modification of attitude of adolescent girls regarding reproductive healthDiscussion:The overall findings of the study clearly showed that the Structured Teaching Programme was significantly effective in improving the knowledge and modification of attitude regarding reproductive health of adolescent girls.

Psychographic profiling — a method for developing relatable avatars for a direct-to-consumer mobile game for adolescent girls on mobile in India

Abstract This research aimed to conduct psychographic profiling for developing a direct-to-consumer mobile game targeting the sexual and reproductive health of adolescent girls in India. We used semi-structured tools to collect information on role models, family, education, dreams, fears and decision-making power. We also presented visual stimuli to the participants (Indian girls; age: 15–19 years; N = 103). Responding to the stimuli, the participants expressed their perceptions of social norms, moral standards, obligations and aspirations. We carried out thematic analysis using predetermined codes and did an inductive analysis to identify emergent profiles. Analysis revealed seven primary themes that influence the participants’ aspirations, decisions and agency: (i) clarity regarding career goals, (ii) information about the pathways to reach those goals, (iii) efforts toward achieving goals, (iv) clarity about priorities, (v) parental support, (vi) ability and willingness to negotiate and (vii) social mobility. Based on combinations of these themes, four predominant personas emerged as descriptive categories of girls’ lives and attitudes. These four profiles will form the basis of Game of Choice, Not Chance™ game: informing the scenarios, in-game decisions and relatable content. This study represents a novel approach to research for an equally innovative game for agency building and health awareness among adolescents.

Connective tissue dysplasia as a risk factor for adnexal torsion in adolescent girls

the state of somatic and reproductive health of adolescent girls is an actual problem
 both throughout the world and in Ukraine. Connective tissue dysplasia, a group of congenital pathol-ogies of connective tissue with insufficient or abnormal development of collagen structures, which
 leads to disruption of the structure and functional disorders of various organs and tissues, was foundto be widespread among patients of the pubertal period. More often there are undifferentiated forms
 of connective tissue dysplasia, characterized by clinical polymorphism: pathology of the musculo-skeletal system, autonomic dysfunction syndrome, gynecological pathology, among which adnexal
 torsion attracts special attention, and more. The aim of the study was to explore the manifestations ofconnective tissue dysplasia and neurological disorders as risk factors for adnexal torsion, with the aimof improving the clinical and diagnostic approaches to the management of adolescent girls with thisgynecological pathology. Based on informed consent, inclusion and exclusion criteria, 42 adolescentgirls aged 14-17 years old with a history of adnexal torsion (the clinical group) and 30 healthy peers(the control group) took part in the study. To achieve the set goals, anthropometric, general clinical,echographic and radiological methods, the study of the neurological status were used. In the courseof the study, it was found that signs of connective tissue dysplasia were found in 16 (38.1%) of the
 examined adolescents of the clinical group and in 3 (10%) of the control groups (p<0.05). In particu-lar, scoliosis of the I-II degree was diagnosed in 14 (33.3%) adolescents of the clinical group, which
 was more than 3 times higher than the similar indicator in the control group - 3 (10%) (p<0.05). Inaddition, dolichostenomelia and arachnodactyly were observed in adolescents with connective tissuedysplasia, on average, 1.5 times more often. Flat feet was diagnosed 3 times more often in the clinicalgroup (in 13 patients (30.9%)) compared to the control group (in 3 patients (10%)) (p<0.05). At thesame time, some patients had a combination of several pathologies disorders of the musculoskeletal
 system. Thus, scoliosis and flat feet were simultaneously diagnosed in 9 (21.4%) adolescents of theclinical group and only in 2 (6.6%) adolescents in the control group (p<0.05). External developmentalanomalies in connective tissue dysplasia were quite often combined with developmental anomalies ofinternal organs: gallbladder kink was found in 5 (11.9%) patients, nephroptosis - in 2 (4.7%) patients,mitral valve prolapse - in 3 (7.1%) patients of the clinical group, which is associated with the same
 origin and laying of a number of systems in embryogenesis. The surveyed adolescents of the clini-cal group had complaints of an asthenic nature associated with autonomic imbalance, namely: rapid
 heartbeat - in 16 (38.1%), headache - in 12 (28.5%), poor tolerance of moderate physical activity - in7 (16.6%), increased fatigue - in 9 (21.4%) , sweating – in 7 (16.6%) patients. All adolescent girlswere prescribed complex treatment, taking into account the type of autonomic regulation, the severityof clinical and functional disorders that characterize autonomic dysfunction. Thus, as a result of thestudy, a high prevalence of undifferentiated forms of connective tissue dysplasia was established inpatients with a history of adnexal torsion and in most cases was accompanied by the development ofpathology of the musculoskeletal system, structural and functional disorders of the internal organs,and manifestations of autonomic dysfunction syndrome. Connective tissue dysplasia, as one of theestablished predictors of adnexal torsion, can act as an important prognostic marker and providean opportunity to prevent and timely diagnose the abdominal pain syndrome and its complicationscaused by this gynecological pathology.

Barriers to vulnerable adolescent girls’ access to sexual and reproductive health

BackgroundVulnerable adolescents are exposed to sexual and reproductive health harms. Ignoring the sexual and reproductive health of this group can have irreparable consequences. The present qualitative study aimed to explore the barriers to the access of vulnerable adolescent girls to sexual and reproductive health.MethodsIn this study, sixteen 14-19-year-old adolescent girls and twenty-two key informants were selected using purposive sampling method. Through in-depth semi-structured interviews, they expressed their experiences of barriers to sexual and reproductive health in vulnerable adolescent girls. The data were encoded using the conventional qualitative content analysis.ResultsBased on the results of the study, neglecting the reproductive and sexual health of vulnerable adolescent girls at different levels leads to serious challenges and obstacles in providing and maintaining it. Lack of a responsible family, the repulsive behaviors of the family and following risky behaviors of peers led to ignoring the sexual and reproductive health of adolescent girls. Unanswered sexual questions, defective life skills, unwanted pregnancy during adolescence, lack of awareness of unsafe sex, violating cultural norms and wounded psyche in vulnerable adolescent girls threaten their sexual and reproductive health. Ineffectiveness of key organizations in providing sexual and reproductive health services alongside lack of legal, political and social support in this area indicate that the sexual and reproductive health of these girls is not a priority for the society.ConclusionNumerous personal, family, social, legal and political barriers challenge the sexual and reproductive health of vulnerable adolescent girls. Developing a comprehensive and practical program beside legal and political support for this issue can provide the basis for the sexual and reproductive health of this group of adolescents in societies.

Factors Associated with the Reproductive Health of Adolescent Girls at SMA Negeri 1 Ulu Moro'o West Nias in 2021

Reproductive health is a significant issue that should be a worry, particularly among teenagers. Regenerative wellbeing is finished physical, mental and social wellbeing, not restricted to sickness or connected with conceptive frameworks, works and cycles as well as mental, social and social wellbeing. This study was to describe the factors related to the reproductive health of adolescent girls at SMAN 1 Ulul Moro'o in 2021. This type of research used a descriptive research design. The population of young women in SMAN 1 Ulu Moro'o West Nias with a sample of 48 people. The inspecting strategy utilized was total sampling. The estimating instrument utilized is a questionnaire. The results on the information and perspectives of young ladies about reproductive health at SMAN 1 Ulul Moro'o West Nias in 2021 were found in a very good category, namely 34 respondents (70.8%). SMAN 1 Ulu Moro'o, West Nias in 2021 in the great class, upwards of 29 respondents (60.4%). It is trusted that the after effects of this review will empower the school to give help with planning young ladies to work on their reproductive health.

Reproductive health of adolescent girls born prematurely: new forecasting opportunities

Background. Premature delivery remains one of the most pressing issues in obstetrics.
 Aim. To assess the reproductive health of 16-year-old adolescent girls born prematurely to develop an algorithm to optimize its state.
 Materials and methods. A total of 180 adolescent girls aged 16 years were evaluated. The study group consisted of 120 adolescents born at a gestational age of 2736 weeks. Subgroup 1 consisted of 18 girls born at a gestational age of 2733 weeks, and subgroup 2 consisted of 102 adolescent girls born at 3436 weeks of gestation. The comparison group consisted of 60 girls born at term. The study material was peripheral venous blood. Hormonal and ultrasonic examination of the internal genital organs were performed.
 Results. In the main group vs. comparison group, an increase in serum leptin levels was observed: 9.4 (6.1; 15.5) and 6.9 (4.2; 9.2) ng/ml (p0.01). The leptin blood concentration in subgroup 2 showed a positive correlation with the body mass index (p=0.001). A more frequent increase in the number of antral follicles (10 in each ovary) was recorded in adolescents born prematurely. When assessing the results of correlation analysis, a positive direct correlation between the number of antral follicles and serum leptin concentration in adolescent girls born prematurely (p0.001) was observed. It was found that with a leptin level 15.8 ng/ml, there is an increase in the number of antral follicles, which may be the cause of reproductive disorders.
 Conclusion. Premature delivery and its long-term consequences (obesity and metabolic syndrome) contribute to hyperleptinemia, leading to ovarian function suppression in adolescents. Therefore, it is necessary to include leptin level measurement in the algorithm of examining adolescent girls for timely diagnosis and subsequent treatment of possible reproductive disorders.

Daily Life of Adolescent Girls who Experienced Early Motherhood in the City of Kinshasa

The aim of our study was to understand the daily experience of adolescent girls in the Congo district who had experienced early childbearing in order to contribute to improving the sexual reproductive health of adolescent girls. This is a qualitative study approached in a phenomenological approach and it falls within the field of reproductive health. The method used for this study was the phenomenological survey and the free individual interview of 15 to 20 minutes. Our sample was 9 teenagers who had granted their availability to participate in the study. After reading our transcripts of interviews recorded with 9 respondents. Adolescent girls perceive early childbearing as an act of dishonor to family and society. Regarding the consequences of early childbearing, adolescents cited bad reputation in society, abandonment by the family and lack of support for the burden of pregnancy. In their experience as victims of early motherhood, these teenage girls used the following means to overcome difficulties: Courage and advice from people, as well as Resourcefulness and help from parents. As for the methods used by adolescents to prevent a new pregnancy, they resort to abstinence, respect for the menstrual cycle, and the use of condoms and implants. With regard to the expectation of adolescent girls who are victims of early childbearing, they seek moral and financial support from the parents and the hope of a marriage from the sexual partner.

Effects of economic support, comprehensive sexuality education and community dialogue on sexual behaviour: Findings from a cluster-RCT among adolescent girls in rural Zambia

Adolescent girls in Sub-Saharan Africa are at high risk of poor sexual and reproductive health outcomes. We present findings from a cluster-randomised trial in rural Zambia on the effects of economic support, comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) and community dialogue on sexual activity, contraceptive use and beliefs among adolescent girls. We recruited 157 schools in 2016, and all girls in grade 7 were invited to participate. Schools were randomised to either economic support, combined economic support, CSE and community dialogue, or control. Economic support consisted of unconditional cash transfers to girls and their guardians, and payment of school fees for girls continuing to grades eight and nine. CSE and community dialogue meetings focused on practices around girls’ fertility, marriage and education. The interventions lasted two years from 2016 to 2018, with follow-up for another two years. The effects on outcomes were measured in 2018 and 2019 and compared using generalised estimating equations. We found that economic support lowered sexual activity (risk ratio (RR) 0.70; 95% C.I. 0.54 to 0.91), with a small added benefit of CSE and community dialogue. Economic support and the additional CSE and community dialogue were effective in lowering unprotected sexual activity (RR 0.53 for combined support vs. control; 95% C.I. 0.37 to 0.75). There was no evidence of intervention effects on contraceptive use among those ever sexually active, but the addition of CSE and community dialogue improved contraceptive use among those recently sexually active (RR 1.26; 95% C.I. 1.06 to 1.50) and knowledge regarding contraceptives (RR 1.18; 95% C.I. 1.01 to 1.38) compared to economic support alone. Perceived community support regarding contraceptives was lower in both intervention arms compared to the control. These findings indicate that economic support in combination with CSE and community dialogue can improve the sexual and reproductive health of adolescent girls.

Preserving reproductive health before the first pregnancy

Research objective: to evaluate the effectiveness of drugs based on decamethoxine for the treatment of inflammatory diseases of genital organs in adolescent girls entering reproductive age.Materials and methods. The study included 96 patients aged 17–19 years who lived an irregular sexual life. The diagnosis of vulvovaginal infection was verified based on clinical and laboratory data. All patients with vulvovaginal infection received Decasan solution 50–100 ml three times a day in the form of irrigation of the external genitalia for the daytime sanitation and Gynodek vaginal gel 5 ml once at night for 7 days, which provided a night exposure of the antiseptic component and created an environment for the restoration of vaginal lactoflora. The effectiveness of treatment was assessed by the results of clinical and bacteriological examination before and after treatment. The criteria for the effectiveness of treatment were complete clinical and bacterial sanitation.Results. According to the results of the microbiological study, all patients were divided into 3 groups: group I consisted of 36 patients with nonspecific vulvovaginitis, group II – 28 adolescent girls with vulvovaginal candidiasis, group III – 32 patients with mixed bacterial-candidiasis infection.The clinical efficacy of therapy was 95.8%: in group I – 94.4%, in group II – 96.4%, in group III – 96.9%. Bacteriological examination, carried out 2 weeks after the end of the course of treatment, confirmed the effectiveness of therapy in 94.4% of adolescent girls with nonspecific vulvovaginitis, in 89.3% with vulvovaginal candidiasis and in 87.5% with mixed bacterial-candidiasis infection.Conclusions. Topical treatment of inflammatory genital diseases in adolescent girls entering reproductive age is effective, safe and can be considered the therapy of choice. Therapy with drugs based on decamethoxine (Decasan and Gynodek) is highly effective in mono- and mixed vulvovaginal infections, which contributes to the preservation of the reproductive health of adolescent girls at the stage of entering reproductive age.

Association of HIV Intervention Uptake With HIV Prevalence in Adolescent Girls and Young Women in South Africa

In South Africa, adolescent girls and young women aged 15 to 24 years are among the most high-risk groups for acquiring HIV. Progress in reducing HIV incidence in this population has been slow. To describe HIV prevalence and HIV risk behaviors among a sample of adolescent girls and young women and to model the association between exposure to multiple or layered interventions and key HIV biological and behavioral outcomes. This cross-sectional survey was conducted between March 13, 2017, and June 22, 2018, in 2 districts in Gauteng province and in 2 districts in KwaZulu-Natal province in South Africa. A stratified cluster random sampling method was used. Participants included adolescent girls and young women aged 12 to 24 years who lived in each sampled household. Overall, 10 384 participants were enrolled in Gauteng province and 7912 in KwaZulu-Natal province. One parent or caregiver was interviewed in each household. Data analysis was performed from March 12, 2021, to March 1, 2022. DREAMS (Determined, Resilient, Empowered, AIDS-free, Mentored, and Safe)-like interventions. The primary outcome was HIV prevalence. HIV status was obtained from laboratory-based testing of peripheral blood samples. Secondary outcomes included HIV testing and antiretroviral therapy uptake as well as numerous HIV risk variables that the DREAMS program sought to improve, such as pregnancy, sexually transmitted infection, intimate partner violence, and age-disparate sex. The final sample included 18 296 adolescent girls and young women (median [IQR] age, 19 [15-21] years) in 10 642 households. Approximately half of participants (49.9%; n = 8414) reported engaging in sexual activity, and 48.1% (n = 3946) reported condom use at the most recent sexual encounter. KwaZulu-Natal province had a higher HIV prevalence than Gauteng province (15.1% vs 7.8%; P < .001). Approximately one-fifth of participants (17.6%; n = 3291) were not exposed to any interventions, whereas 43.7% (n = 8144) were exposed to 3 or more interventions. There was no association between exposure to DREAMS-like interventions and HIV status. Adolescent girls and young women who accessed 3 or more interventions were more likely to have undergone HIV testing (adjusted odds ratio, 2.39; 95% CI, 2.11-2.71; P < .001) and to have used condoms consistently in the previous 12 months (adjusted odds ratio, 1.68; 95% CI, 1.33-2.12; P < .001) than those who were not exposed to any interventions. Results of this study suggest that self-reported exposures to multiple or layered DREAMS-like interventions were associated with favorable behavioral outcomes. The beneficial aspects of layering HIV interventions warrant further research to support the sexual and reproductive health of adolescent girls and young women.

Empowerment of Youth Information and Counseling Center (PIK-R) for Early Marriage Independence among Adolescent Girls

Introduction: Early marriage may compromise the reproductive health of adolescent girls. Youth empowerment through the Youth Information and Counseling Center (PIK-R) needs to be done, in order to increase awareness of adolescent girls about their reproductive right. This study aimed to analyze the effect of empowering the Youth Information and Counseling Center (PIK-R) group using the Emo Demo method on early marriage independence among adolescent girls.Method: Design of this study used a quasi-experimental design with one group pretest-posttest design. Thirty adolescent girls from The Youth Information and Counseling Center (PIK-R) group were selected by simple random sampling. The research variables were the Emo Demo method and early marriage independence. Research instruments used Emo Demo module and questionnaire of early marriage independence from the previos study by Purwanti et al. The data were analyzed descriptively to determine the frequency distribution of early marriage independence before and after the intervention. Furthermore, data analysis used Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test to assess the effect of youth empowerment through the Youth Information and Counseling Center (PIK-R) among adolescent girls. Results: The result of this analysis showed that the empowerment of Youth Information and Counseling Center (PIK-R) group using the Emo-Demo method have a significant impact on the early marriage independence among adolescent girls with p=0.001. Conclusions: Empowerment of the Youth Information and Counseling Center (PIK-R) group using the Emo-Demo method increases awareness of the potential that adolescents have and the desire to develop it so that they can achieve independence. Keywords: empowerment, adolescent, marriage, PIK-R(Youth Information And Counseling center)

Improving health worker motivation and performance to deliver adolescent sexual and reproductive health services in the Democratic Republic of Congo: study design of implementation research to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness of a package of interventions

ABSTRACT During its last funding cycle from 2018–2020, the Global Fund in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, World Health Organization, and implementing partners Cordaid and Santé Rural (SANRU), implemented a multi-sectoral, contextualized approach to improve the sexual and reproductive health of adolescent girls and young women in two regions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which included community-based, school-based and health facility-based actions. This implementation research focuses on the health-facility component. The objective of this research is to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness of a package of interventions to improve health workers’ knowledge, skills, and attitudes in providing sexual and reproductive health services to adolescents, whilst concomitantly creating an enabling work environment for building health workers’ motivation. The package includes a combination of job descriptions, training and refresher training, desk reference tools, and collaborative learning. The package did not focus on improving amenities, providing or repairing equipment, or providing medicines and supplies. The underlying theoretical framework informing the project and the implementation research draws from Social Network Theory, Diffusion of Innovations and Normalization Process Theory. Qualitative and quantitative process and outcome data from in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with health workers and health managers, field notes, monitoring reports, costing sheets, and health worker surveys, adolescent mystery client assessments, and exit interviews with adolescents will be collected as part of a time-series study. The findings from this implementation research will be utilized to inform future adaptations and/or scale-up of the package of interventions to improve health worker motivation and performance in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and elsewhere. The findings will also contribute to advancing the use of theoretical approaches within the field of implementation research.

Addressing the Reproductive Health of Adolescent Girls with Cancer and Cancer Survivors

Addressing the Reproductive Health of Adolescent Girls with Cancer and Cancer Survivors

The reproductive health of adolescent girls living in the Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug - Yugra

The reproductive health of adolescent girls living in the Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug - Yugra

Hypomenstrual syndrome in adolescent girls as a result of reproductive dysfunction in their mothers

In recent years in Ukraine and in the world there has been a clear tendency towards deterioration in the indicators of the somatic health of children and adolescents, that is negatively affects the processes of reproductive health formation and it state in the future. Concern for adolescent girl's health, including their reproductive system, forms an enormous contribution to the society future. That's why big attention is paid to the formation and saving reproductive health of adolescent girls. The period of sexual development is defining in a woman's life and is considered a key moment on the path of reproductive maturity. Today it has been established that the reproductive health formation is influenced by environmental, socio-economic factors and the presence of somatic diseases. Despite the fact that the pathogenetic mechanisms of the reproductive system formation are extremely complex and sensitive to the effects of negative factors, the appearance of destructive factors at this time can disrupt the physiological chain of functioning of the hormonal mechanisms which regulate the reproductive system. Disorders of the menstrual cycle is one of the most common pathological conditions, combining pathogenetically different diseases, which are manifested by a violation of the menstrual duration and frequency, amount of menstrual flow. According to domestic literature, hypomenstrual syndrome (oligomenorrhea, amenorrhea) is in the first place among menstrual dysfunctions in adolescent girls in the structure of gynecological morbidity and is up to 45%. Menstrual irregularities that occur during adolescence often persist into the future, causing infertility, obstetric pathology, perinatal loss and other reproductive health problems during childbearing years. The problem of the menstrual cycle formation has been little studied, but it is socially significant, very relevant and requires further study.Thus, girls with menstrual disorders constitute a group of increased risk of gynecological diseases in women of reproductive age, since many chronic diseases of adults are a protracted pathology of adolescents. Therefore, adolescent girls should be examined and treated by a specialist in pediatric and adolescent gynecology, pediatric endocrinologist, pediatrician and family doctor.