A Study on Knowledge and Attitude about Reproductive Health and AIDS among Young Girls: A Cross Sectional Study

Aim: In the current scenario, the understanding of reproductive health, Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and other sexually transmitted diseases among the young adolescent girls are very poor. A large number of girls at the end of their schoolings and early collegiate environment those who are sexually active and exposed to peer pressure are in a vulnerable situation. Thus, this study is aimed to analyze the knowledge and attitude of reproductive health and Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome among female adolescents.

Methodology: This study is a cross sectional descriptive analysis that was undertaken in Tiruchirapalli for about a month. Subjects were interviewed face to face using pretested semi-structured questionnaire after obtaining informed consent. The questionnaire contained information regarding socio-demographic details, reproductive health, sexually transmitted infections/ sexually transmitted diseases, including Human immunodeficiency virus/ Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, pregnancy and reproduction, prevention strategies and reproductive health services. Privacy and confidentiality were strictly maintained and the analysis was done with percentages.

Results: Among the 150 subjects included, 64% and 36% are from urban and rural areas respectively. Only 11.3% know about internal reproductive organs and 74% know about physiological changes during menstrual cycle. The idea about the virginity was observed among 64%. The knowledge about HIV/ AIDS was observed as 78.7% but among them very few having ideas about STIs and the maximum source of information are from internet than other sources. Most of them (65%) answered that the Human immunodeficiency virus/ Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is spreading mainly through sex and they are having very poor knowledge about other mode of transmission. Some girls are feeling shy to answer the questions like condom usages for avoiding pregnancy and process of women getting pregnant.

Conclusion: Providing awareness about the reproductive health and sexually transmitted infections must be started from home itself and the educational institutions have to take necessary steps to arrange awareness camps and clubs to teach adolescents.