scholarly journals Improving sexual and reproductive health knowledge and practice in Mozambican families with media campaign and volunteer family health champions

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. e000089
Author(s):  
Paulo Henrique Pires ◽  
Ronald Siemens ◽  
Martins Mupueleque

ObjectiveTo increase knowledge, attitudes and practice of sexual and reproductive health and family planning and to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality rates in Mozambique.DesignAn implementation research project’s intermediate evaluation, applying two cross-sectional surveys. The surveys were planned for 316 subjects before and after interventions.SettingResearch performed in Natikiri district of Nampula province in northern Mozambique, targeting a suburban and rural populations in their homes.Participants452 people were surveyed (91 before, 361 after), all belonging to the Macua ethnic group.InterventionsA media campaign (2 weekly radio spots, bimonthly theatre performances) was performed for 8 months (2017 to 2018) and family health champions’ teachings (monthly home visits) performed for 3 months, on sexual and reproductive health and family planning. Outcome measures planned and measured were adolescent’s and adult’s knowledge, attitudes and practice about those. Data were analysed by gender, age group and frequencies, using a CI of 95% (p<0.5 statistically significant).ResultsRadio spots, community theatre and volunteer champions increased population’s knowledge about sexual and reproductive health and led to a more positive attitude toward family planning. Concerning attitude, results show differences between adults’ proportions before and after: (1) did you hear about sexual and reproductive health (p=0.0425); (2) knows project key messages (p<0.001); (3) knows prenatal visits importance (p=0.0301); (4) access to contraceptives was easy (p<0.001). Adolescents showed statistically significant differences before and after: (1) knows project key messages (p<0.001); (2) access to contraceptives was easy (p=0.0361). Family planning practice did not increase in both groups.ConclusionA health education intervention, using a media campaign and local volunteers, is useful to promote mother and child health. There is an unmet need for family planning and the use of modern contraception is below desired practice, needing further research about cultural barriers. Communication for behaviour change activities will pursue and impact will be assessed to document family planning practice improvement.

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chet Kant Bhusal ◽  
Sigma Bhattarai

Background. Increase in population plays a decisive role in providing universal access to reproductive health; however, there is very limited evidence about the reason of unmet need among marginalized and tribal communities such as Tharus. This study aimed to determine the factors affecting unmet need of family planning among married Tharu women of Dang, Nepal. Methods. Community-based cross-sectional household survey among 650 married Tharu women of age group 15-49 in October 2015 to April 2016 was conducted in Dang district, Nepal. Randomly 3 wards were selected from each Tulsipur municipality, Hekuli Village Development Committee, and Pawan Nagar VDC. Results. The mean age and parity were 30±7.31 and 2±0.69, respectively. Out of 650 women, 47% were using contraceptives. Westoff model was used for calculating total unmet need which is 49%, where unmet need for limiting and spacing was 27% and 22%, respectively. Hence after combining the current users and total unmet need, total demand for family planning was 96%. After adjustment, significant relation was observed between number of living sons ≥ 1 and unmet need of family planning (OR= 0.4; CI=0.2-0.8, p=0.01 ), similarly for women education; lower secondary level (OR=0.3; CI=0.1-0.6, p=0.01) and secondary (OR=0.1; CI=0.03-0.4, p=0.01); husband education, lower secondary level (OR=0.3; CI=0.1-0.6, p=0.01) and secondary (OR=0.4; CI= 0.2-0.9, p=0.04); and husband occupation, wage labor (OR=0.6; CI=0.4-0.99, p=0.05). In addition, having very good knowledge about method was also significantly associated (OR=0.49; CI= 0.2-0.97, p= 0.04). Conclusion. Unmet need of family planning was significantly higher among less than secondary educated women. It is also predisposed by spouse education, partner’s occupation, and number of living sons. This study concerns the need for all stake holders to focus on strategic behavior communication program regarding reproductive health.


Author(s):  
Claudia Díaz-Olavarrieta ◽  
Beatriz Cruz-Cruz ◽  
Germán E. Fajardo-Dolci ◽  
Antonio R. Villa. ◽  
Monica Aburto-Arciniega ◽  
...  

Background: Correct and culturally relevant sexual and reproductive health knowledge among children and adolescents is a key component to a healthy life. In Mexico, a country plagued with a teen pregnancy epidemic, sexuality education in the public-school system begins in 4th grade. Our study aims were to characterize the sexual and reproductive health knowledge of middle school students from Oaxaca, and its association with belonging to an indigenous group, gender, sources of sexual and reproductive health information, and parents’ level of schooling. Methods: Cross-sectional study. Students responded to a multiple-choice paper and pencil self-administered survey on sexual and reproductive health knowledge. Our sample included 245 middle-school students (51.4% were female) enrolled in rural school’s 7th, 8th, and 9th grade. Survey contents were based on the Ministry of Education textbooks.


Author(s):  
Deepak Anil ◽  
Sunil Kumar D. ◽  
Vijaylakshmi Rao Vadaga ◽  
Arun Gopi ◽  
M. R. Narayana Murthy

Background: According to national family health survey-5 (NFHS-5), in urban Karnataka, the total unmet need was 7.3. An important concept to describe effectiveness of family planning program is unmet need for family planning. Most married women want to limit childbirth and space deliveries but are unable to use contraceptives for varying reasons leading to unmet need. To assess unmet need of family planning and its associated factors among married women in reproductive age group in Mysuru.Methods: A community based cross-sectional study was done from November 2020-January 2021 among married women in reproductive age group (18-49 years) in urban Mysuru. Sample size calculated was 162. The samples were selected by systematic random sampling and interviewed using a pre-tested semi- structured questionnaire. Data was analysed using SPSS version 23 (licensed to JSS AHER).Results: The overall unmet need was 29.01%, among this 17.3% was for spacing and 11.71% for limiting. Out of 162 females studied, around 131 had knowledge about at least one contraceptive method. Unmet need was higher in unemployed women belonging to the lower socio-economic group. Important reasons cited for not using contraceptives were family opposition, fear of side effects, negligent attitude of the women and lack of knowledge about family planning.Conclusions: Unmet need of family planning in the study area was comparatively high, therefore, routine family planning counselling, health education, and health awareness programs need to be strengthened.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shantanu Sharma ◽  
Sonali Maheshwari ◽  
Jitesh Kuwatada ◽  
Chandra Shekhar ◽  
Sunil Mehra

Abstract Background: Adolescents lack adequate knowledge, self-efficacy, and access to sexual and reproductive health services; thereby, predisposing them to sexual violence, sexually transmitted infections, early marriage, and high fertility rates. Socio-economic inequalities fuel such problems, but we have limited evidence from some of the least developed states of Eastern India. Therefore, we aimed to assess the inequalities in the reproductive health knowledge and practices of unmarried adolescents (10-19 years) from marginalized populations in one district each from the state of Bihar and Assam in India.Methods: It was a community-based cross-sectional study with a quantitative research methodology. In our study, we captured data on five domains related to reproductive health, including knowledge about HIV/AIDS, and contraceptives, awareness and perceptions related to right age at marriage, general self-efficacy, menstrual hygiene practices among girls, and access to health services for reproductive health problems; besides socio-demographic details. We performed a 2-step cluster analysis to gain insights into the patterns of reproductive health knowledge and self-efficacy among unmarried adolescent boys and girls, separately. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was employed to identify the predictors associated with the cluster membership determined through cluster analysis.Results: A total of 811 boys and 826 girls participated in the study. Three-clusters were identified for boys and girls in the analysis, varying from high to low knowledge and self-efficacy for boys, and high to low knowledge with constant low self-efficacy in all the three clusters for girls. Higher educational status and increasing age were positively associated with the high knowledge clusters among boys and girls. Additionally, marginalized social class and working status were associated with higher knowledge cluster in girls.Conclusions: We emphasize on the need of comprehensive (covering a broad range of reproductive health issues, such as child marriage, contraceptives, HIV/AIDS, menstrual hygiene, etc.), contextualized (relevant for adolescents in the least developed states like Bihar), and customized (tailored for different cultures and religions through appropriate means) sexual and reproductive health education for adolescents.


2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maya Hamdanieh ◽  
Louna Ftouni ◽  
Bara’a Al Jardali ◽  
Racha Ftouni ◽  
Chaymaa Rawas ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Sexual and reproductive health (SRH), a globally recognized fundamental health concern and a basic human right is poorly addressed and seldom researched in the Arab world. Disregarding this aspect of health creates various obstacles to accessing SRH related services and education. This threatens the health of a female, namely through increasing the probability of unplanned pregnancies and unsafe abortions, augmenting the risk of acquiring sexually transmitted infections, and most importantly, increasing the hazard of maternal and neonatal death. Thus, this study aimed to assess the level of SRH related knowledge and awareness among single unmarried women living in Lebanon. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional study design was conducted using a self-administered questionnaire in both English and Arabic languages. The questionnaire included 9 sections; socio-demographic characteristics section, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) section, premarital tests section, vaccines section, menstruation and its abnormalities section, pregnancy symptoms and identification section, methods of contraception section, vitamins section, and honeymoon events section. The questionnaire was distributed among all Lebanese governorates to 491 single unmarried women living in Lebanon aged between 17 and 55 years. Student t-test and Chi-Square test were used to analyze results. Results It was found that only 8.8% of all the participants had adequate knowledge. The highest level of SRH related knowledge was about pregnancy (88.0%), and the least was about contraception (13.5%). Most of the knowledgeable participants lived in Beirut governorate (13.6%, n = 8) and had reached universities (10.3%, n = 41), but this was not statistically significant (p-value > 0.05). The effect of a prior visit to a gynecologist was statistically non-significant on the overall level of knowledge (p-value = 0.269). Conclusion Due to the inadequate level of knowledge, SRH education campaigns empowered by the Ministry of Public Health in collaboration with primary care physicians and gynecologists, are recommended in both the societal and academic sectors to enhance the awareness level and make SRH knowledge readily available among unmarried women aged between 17 and 55. Knowing the massive role of social media nowadays, the messages they present should contribute to enhancing the level of SRH knowledge and redirect attitudes and behaviors of unmarried females in Lebanon.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna E Kågesten ◽  
Anggriyani Wahyu Pinandari ◽  
Anna Page ◽  
Siswanto Agus Wilopo ◽  
Miranda van Reeuwijk

Abstract Background: Early adolescence (ages 10-14) is a critical period of physical, cognitive, social and emotional development, which affect sexual and reproductive health and rights. Yet, little is known about positive or healthy aspects of sexuality development during this period of life, especially in South East Asia where sexual norms remain restrictive. The objective of this study is to assess the prevalence and correlates of sexual wellbeing among early adolescent girls and boys ages in Indonesia.Methods: Data for this cross-sectional study were collected as part of the Global Early Adolescent Study via a school-based survey in three Indonesian urban sites in 2018 (N=4309). We assessed the prevalence of multiple indicators of sexual wellbeing (e.g. sexual and reproductive health knowledge and communication, gender attitudes, body satisfaction, self-efficacy, freedom from violence) and tested for differences by gender using Chi-square, Student t-test, and Wilcoxon rank-sum test. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to assess the adjusted odds ratio of selected indicators in relation to sociodemographic factors, romantic and sexual experiences. Results: The mean age of students was 12 years (53% girls); 90% had started puberty. Sexual and reproductive health knowledge and communication was low overall, but higher among boys than girls. Boys were more likely than girls to report high body satisfaction, less feelings of sexual guilt, but also to experience physical peer violence. In contrast, girls were more likely to hold gender equal attitudes, greater self-efficacy to say no, and to report being bullied by boys. In multivariable models, romantic experiences, perceived voice (boys and girls) and decision-making (girls) were associated with three or more indicators of sexual wellbeing. Conclusions: While young adolescents in Indonesia score high on some aspects of sexual wellbeing, misconceptions, feelings of guilt and uncertainties related to sexuality are common, with clear gender differences. These findings confirm the need for comprehensive sexuality education that begins early in adolescence.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 15-23
Author(s):  
GN Rimamnunra ◽  
TT Bitto ◽  
OO Areo ◽  
DE Ukpabi ◽  
IA Bako

In Nigeria, National data indicates that the age group 15 to 24 years contributes the highest (40%) to all reported new cases of HIV and not much is been done to understand and address adolescent sexual and reproductive health (ASRH) concerns. New evidences are required to design cost effective programs on ASRH. This study was aimed at assessing in-school adolescents' knowledge on SRH and associated factors. The study was a cross sectional Study conducted among 250 adolescents in secondary schools in Makurdi selected through multi-stage sampling technique. Pretested, self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. Knowledge was assessed via an 18-point knowledge scale and the data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 21 software. The mean age of the respondents was 15.15±1.82 years. More than half of the respondents had good knowledge of ASRH (56.8%) while 43.2% had poor knowledge. The main sources of information on Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) were Parents (90.8%), School Teacher (82.4%), Friends (35.2%) and Social Media (34.4%). Respondents in the senior classes were more knowledgeable about SRH while age and having a girl/boyfriend affected their knowledge. In conclusion, on the adolescents' knowledge on ASRH, more than half of them had good knowledge, however more measures need to be put in place to reach the adolescent population with poor knowledge which will ultimately help to prevent risky sexual behaviors.


2018 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Karimah Hanim Abd Aziz ◽  
Nurjasmine Aida Jamani ◽  
Nur Wajihah Lahasan ◽  
Syazwana Amirah Che Ujang ◽  
Nur Ili Dalia Mohd Ali Hanafiah

Introduction: Topic on sexuality has largely remained a taboo subject for discussion between parents and their children in Malaysia, which might contributed to increase sexual activity among adolescent age group. This study was undertaken to assess the level of knowledge, attitude and their associated factors among standard 4 and 5 students in a primary school in Kuantan, Pahang. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 281 students from standard 4 and 5 students using a self-administered validated Malay version KAPSRH questionnaire. Universal sampling was used for selection of students who fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Descriptive statistics was used to explain respondents' background characteristics and multiple logistic regression was used to find the association. Results: Of the 252 students completed the surveys, 135 were males and 117 were females with the mean age of 10.47. It was found that more that half students reported to have good knowledge (56.3%) and attitude (59.4%) towards sexual and reproductive health. Year of study (p<0.0001), involvement in religious activities (p<0.0001) and household income were associated with both knowledge and attitude. While prayers (p=0.04), practice fasting (p=0.03), mothers' education (p<0.0001), fathers' education (p<0.0001) and fathers' working status (p=0.04) were associated with good attitude only. Conclusion: Although majority of the students have good level of sexual and reproductive health knowledge and attitude , there is still room for improvement. Parents, schools and health care providers are challenged with the task of providing adolescents with accessible sexual and reproductive health information to promote healthy sexual and reproductive lives.


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