Empowering adolescent girls, is sexual and reproductive health education a solution?

Abstract

Adolescence is a period that is characterized by growth and development rapidly. They have only limited knowledge regarding sexual and reproductive health (SRH). Adolescents girls are more marginalized and face many problems in society. Owing to a lack of knowledge on SRH, they succumb to various situations such as unhealthy menstrual hygiene practices, unwanted sex, teenage pregnancy, unsafe abortions, reproductive tract infections (RTIs), and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) such as HIV/AIDS. These have adverse effects on their mental health. This article reviews the literature to explore the knowledge, attitude, practices, and life skills regarding SRH among adolescent girls. Need for the inclusion of SRH and life skill education for adolescents in schools, strengthening health care programs, and involvement of various Non-Governmental organizations (NGO for adolescent wellbeing. A Search of relevant publications between 2011 and 2020 was done through multiple electronic databases such as MEDLINE, PUBMED, and Google scholar. A manual search on world health statistics, national programs regarding SRH was done.

Use of contraceptives, empowerment and agency of adolescent girls and young women: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…However, studies have not consistently defined or measured empowerment. Despite this, school-based programmes are effective in empowering adolescents in SRH, including the use of contraceptives 74 75. However, the literature also suggests that the effectiveness of school-based empowerment is amplified when these are linked to communities 76 77.…”

“…Despite this, school-based programmes are effective in empowering adolescents in SRH, including the use of contraceptives. 74 75 However, the literature also suggests that the effectiveness of school-based empowerment is amplified when these are linked to communities. 76 77 Our included studies were also conducted in community-based settings.…”

A Sexual Health Education for Adolescents in India

“…Teen pregnancy. Strong friendship ties with members of their sex continue to grow and at the same time increased awareness about the members of the opposite sex (Swayam et al,2021). They have now begun to learn about establishing heterosexual relationships.…”

“…In Adolescent period, children are very anxious to fulfill their sexual desires because of physical and psychological changes (Measer,2000) and also influenced by the media and friends. And sexually transmitted diseases like AIDS, genital warts, herpes, gonorrhea, syphilis, etc., (Sharma,2012) are very much prone in this age because of improper sexual relations (Swayam et al,2021;Feldman & Middleman, 2002) and children need guidance from parents and elders to overcome these issues. In this context sex education is one of the important means of helping the growing boys and girls to create awareness about the role of sex in human life and therefore, it is the task of the adults and teachers to guide the growing youngsters in the development of a capacity to resist the physical and psychological changes occur in adolescent period and make them understand these changes.…”

“…In addition to that technological awareness and advancements in development have forced this youth to move one step toward the abolition of family customs and traditions. In this context, sexual health education is very important for teenagers to create awareness about the harmful effects of improper sexual relationships (Swayam , 2021).…”