CREATING AWARENESS IN ADOLESCENTS ON SEXUAL HEALTH FOCUSING ON STDs IN SELECTED SCHOOLS OF COIMBATORE, TAMILNADU, INDIA By Mrs. P. Sathya Asst.Professor PSG College of Nursing

INTRODUCTION Adolescence is a time of tremendous opportunity and change. It is also a time of heightened vulnerabilities. They have needs that differ from those of adults in important ways. The needs of adolescents remain poorly understood or served in much of the world. Adolescence is a time of tremendous opportunity and change. It is also a time of heightened vulnerabilities. They have needs that differ from those of adults in important ways. The needs of adolescents remain poorly understood or served in much of the world.

Adolescent health is directly linked to the behaviour which is developed and modified within the sphere of family and social environment. Development of healthy sexual behaviour among adolescents depends upon a conducive environment in which they live and the interactions of the adolescents themselves Adolescent health is directly linked to the behaviour which is developed and modified within the sphere of family and social environment. Development of healthy sexual behaviour among adolescents depends upon a conducive environment in which they live and the interactions of the adolescents themselves

With an estimated 1 billion adolescents alive today, the world is experiencing the largest adolescent population in history.Neglect of this population has major implications for the future, since sexual and reproductive behaviours during adolescence have far reaching consequences for the people lives as they develop into adulthood. With an estimated 1 billion adolescents alive today, the world is experiencing the largest adolescent population in history.Neglect of this population has major implications for the future, since sexual and reproductive behaviours during adolescence have far reaching consequences for the people lives as they develop into adulthood.

Central Objective Central Objective Assessment Of Knowledge And Attitude Of Adolescents On sexual health concentrating on STDs and creating awareness among them to promote healthy behaviour Assessment Of Knowledge And Attitude Of Adolescents On sexual health concentrating on STDs and creating awareness among them to promote healthy behaviour

METHODOLOGY

Educational intervention to promote healthy life styles in adolescents Educational intervention to promote healthy life styles in adolescents Students studying in Ninth and Eleventh standard of St. Thomas Higher Secondary School in rural area and corporation Higher secondary School in urban area were selected Students studying in Ninth and Eleventh standard of St. Thomas Higher Secondary School in rural area and corporation Higher secondary School in urban area were selected

Structure questionnaire was used to assess the knowledge and attitude of adolescents on STDs. Structure questionnaire was used to assess the knowledge and attitude of adolescents on STDs. Questionnaire consists of three parts Questionnaire consists of three parts I.Base line data II.Knowledge on STDs III.Attitude on STDs

DATA INTERPRETATION AND FINDINGS DATA INTERPRETATION AND FINDINGS

The age of the students varied between 14 years to 18 years but majority of the students ( 48% ) were in the age group of 16 years. Among 44 students 25 were males and 19 were females. The age of the students varied between 14 years to 18 years but majority of the students ( 48% ) were in the age group of 16 years. Among 44 students 25 were males and 19 were females.

72% of the students were studying in 11 th standard and 28% were studying in 9 th standard. The level of the students considered because basic information on STD and AIDS has been included in 10 th standard curriculum 72% of the students were studying in 11 th standard and 28% were studying in 9 th standard. The level of the students considered because basic information on STD and AIDS has been included in 10 th standard curriculum 80% of the students heard about STDs. 80% of the students heard about STDs. most of them got information from subject most of them got information from subject books. books.

Sources Of Information On Sexually Transmitted Disease

KNOWLEDGE ON STDs

Regarding signs of STDs only 10% of them had an idea that itching or ulcer in genital organ as a sign of STDs. 25% of them were not aware of the preventive measures of STDs, in contrary 45% had an idea that safe sex is the best way to prevent STDs Regarding signs of STDs only 10% of them had an idea that itching or ulcer in genital organ as a sign of STDs. 25% of them were not aware of the preventive measures of STDs, in contrary 45% had an idea that safe sex is the best way to prevent STDs

ASSESSMENT OF ATTITUDE

86.36 % of the students accepted that medical care is essential whereas in pretest % expressed that medical care is important for the treatment of STDs % of the students accepted that medical care is essential whereas in pretest % expressed that medical care is important for the treatment of STDs All of them had a common opinion that teenagers need to be educated on STDs. But 48% of them considered that revealing the problem of STDs affect social stigma of an individual All of them had a common opinion that teenagers need to be educated on STDs. But 48% of them considered that revealing the problem of STDs affect social stigma of an individual

75% of the Students felt free to discuss the sexual matters with friends than any other member which indicates that students are prone to be misguided 75% of the Students felt free to discuss the sexual matters with friends than any other member which indicates that students are prone to be misguided only 35% of the students were interested to clarify their queries with teachers and parents on this issue. Students were receptive and were keen to have a clear idea on sexual health. Inhibitions on free and frank discussion on healthy sexual life with other members of the society namely parents,teachers,health personnel’s was overcome only 35% of the students were interested to clarify their queries with teachers and parents on this issue. Students were receptive and were keen to have a clear idea on sexual health. Inhibitions on free and frank discussion on healthy sexual life with other members of the society namely parents,teachers,health personnel’s was overcome

IMPLICATIONS OF THE STUDY

 Inservice education to teachers on sex related issues, alternative approaches like mailbox, body mapping, mind mapping will be helpful to assess and teach the students on sexual aspects

 Comprehensive curricula must be developed, that educates students in a progressive manner and is synchronized with their developmental changes

 Counseling sessions for parents can be conducted on various approaches to keep their children informed on sex related issues

 A special committee should be appointed in the schools to observe student’s behaviour.  School authorities should appoint a guidance and counselling cell under the guidance of experts

CONCLUSION

Today’s adolescents are the adults of tomorrow. Their health and resourcefulness will be a major factor in determining the health of the coming generation. Development of healthy sexual behavior among adolescents depends upon the conducive environment in which they live. Today’s adolescents are the adults of tomorrow. Their health and resourcefulness will be a major factor in determining the health of the coming generation. Development of healthy sexual behavior among adolescents depends upon the conducive environment in which they live.

Information on STDs need to be imparted among adolescents at the secondary and higher secondary level. Information on STDs need to be imparted among adolescents at the secondary and higher secondary level. On going educational programme would increase interaction with the adolescents assist them to come forward for counselling, thus maintain healthy adolescent reproductive behavior which will empower them. On going educational programme would increase interaction with the adolescents assist them to come forward for counselling, thus maintain healthy adolescent reproductive behavior which will empower them.

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