RAJIV GANDHI UNIVERSITY OF HEALTH SCIENCES,

KARNATAKA, BANGLORE
ANNEXURE-II
PROFORMA FOR REGISTRATION OF SUBJECTS FOR
DISSERTATION

1 Name of the candidate and JOMIT KURUVILA

address(in block letters) I YEAR M.Sc NURSING
FATHER MULLER COLLEGE OF
NURSING
MANGALORE-575002.

2 Name of the Institution FATHER MULLER COLLEGE OF

NURSING
KANKANADY
MANGALORE-575002

3 Course of study and subject M.Sc. NURSING

COMMUNITY HEALTH NURSING

4 Date of admission to course 21st JUNE 2009

5 Title of the topic:

A STUDY TO ASSESS THE KNOWLEDGE OF ADOLESCENTS REGARDING

REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH WITH A VIEW TO PREPARE AN INFORMATION
BOOKLET IN SELECTED HIGH SCHOOLS AT MANGALORE.
6 Brief Resume of the Intended Work

6.1 Need for the Study

Transition is a passage from one stage of development to another. During any

transitional period, the individuals’ status is vague and there is confusion about the roles

expected to play. Adolescent experience various changes like heightened emotionality, sexual

maturing, change in interests, behavior patterns, values and expected social roles. 1

Adolescence forms a significant proportion of population of our country. About one

fifth of the world consists of adolescents. One third of India’s population is between 10-20 years.

Programmes aimed at adolescents affect not only their lives and the lives of their future offspring

, but also the lives of their younger siblings, mothers and fathers-in fact all of the society. So we

must realize the importance of working with adolescents.2

Adolescence is a period of tremendous opportunity as well as of risk, characterized

by physical, psychological and social change. This is a crucial, stressful yet fascinating period in

an individuals’ life. Since the demands on the adolescent are too many Stanley Hall termed

adolescence as a phase of ‘stress and storm’. While adolescents are not yet adults, neither are

they completely childhood. The 1994 international conference on Population and Development

held in Cairo recommended that governments focus more attention on adolescents through an

integrated approach to their health, education, and social needs.3

During adolescence, growth is rapid, disorganized and confusing compared to the

relatively stable earlier period of childhood. It is a turbulent period of development when the

changes of puberty occur-significantly, the growth and maturation of the sex organs and the

emergence of the powerful sex drive. Adolescents require time to get used to their changing

bodies and new body image.4

Reproductive health encompasses a range of health concerns. It is defined as a ‘state of

complete physical, mental and social wellbeing and not merely the absence of disease or

infirmity, in all matters relating to the reproductive system and to its functions and processes.’

The current focus on reproductive health in India marks a global recognition that reproductive

health needs have been largely neglected and that the consequences of this neglect have been

profound, particularly for women. Present study aims to identify the knowledge regarding the

reproductive health among the adolescents. Lack of knowledge regarding the reproductive health

affects the mental/psychological development of children negatively. 5

There is a vast unmet need in the area of reproductive health of adolescent girls. Their

knowledge regarding the sexual and reproductive health is limited. Negative perceptions and

misinformation, which they gather from here and there often continues through their

reproductive years and act as a barrier for healthy reproductive life. Keeping these issues in mind

the present study was undertaken to assess the level of knowledge of adolescent girls regarding

reproductive health.6

6.2 Review of literature

A descriptive study was conducted on 100 senior school girls of two schools to assess

the knowledge of reproductive health in Guwahati, Assam.100 girls were chosen by random

sampling technique. Data was collected with the help of structured questionnaire. Findings of the

study revealed. 1) adolescent school girls lacked knowledge especially in the menstrual hygiene

area. 2) Private school girls had higher knowledge than those of the government school girls and

3)Girls of the upper socioeconomic status and with a higher level of mothers education had more

knowledge and hygiene practices than others. The study suggested that there should be a formal

health education programme at schools on adolescent reproductive health.7

A study was conducted in a high school to evaluate the role of audio visual

programme in creating awareness about reproductive health in adolescents. A questionnaire was

given to 100 girls studying in the 10 th standard regarding reproductive health. The same

questionnaire was given to them after watching the programme. The pre programme answers

revealed very poor knowledge about Reproductive health-Reason –in our country adolescent

girls are deprived of health education on reproductive biology due to ignorance, shyness and lack

of knowledge in parents and teachers. The post programme answers showed statistically

significant increase in the level of the knowledge.8

A study was conducted on 189 students of 11th and 12th standards to assess the need for

sex education. Need of sex education is universal out of 189 students ,97% of them agreed to it.

The preferred age to start the sex education was lowered by 2 years in girls(14.6years) than boys.

Doctors or health workers were preferred choice in giving the education, however in their

absence ,regular school teachers were the next choice. The knowledge about the STDs and their

prevention was very poor in adolescents. The awareness was largely confined to AIDS. The

knowledge about the conception was very poor even in these adolescent girls. The study

acknowledges the felt need of sex education of the students.9

An experimental study conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of planned teaching

programme regarding menstrual hygiene on knowledge of 8th and 9th standard girl students using

the pretest, post test control group design. The study was conducted on 60 girl students by

random sampling technique. A structured questionnaire was utilized for data collection. The

findings revealed that initially both the group did not differ in their level of knowledge about

menstrual hygiene. After the administration of planned teaching programme the subjects

belonging to the experimental group gained significantly higher knowledge scores than the

control group subjects. This indicates that planned teaching programme was effective in

increasing the knowledge of high school girls.10

6.3 Statement of problem

“A STUDY TO ASSESS THE KNOWLEDGE OF ADOLESCENTS REGARDING

REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH WITH A VIEW TO PREPARE AN INFORMATION BOOKLET

IN SELECTED HIGH SCHOOLS AT MANGALORE.”

6.4 Objectives of the study

 To assess the knowledge of adolescents regarding reproductive health as measured by

structured knowledge questionnaire.

 To determine the association between knowledge regarding reproductive health and

baseline variables.

 To prepare and validate an information booklet regarding reproductive health.

6.5 Operational definitions

1.Knowledge

In this study knowledge refers to the response of the adolescent girls to the questions related to

reproductive health.

2.Adolescents

Adolescence is a transitional stage of physical and mental human development that occurs

between childhood and adulthood. It refers to the age group of 11-20. (Whaley&Wong, 1994)

In this study it refers to high school girls between the age group of 13-17.

3. Reproductive health.

Reproductive health is defined as a state of complete physical, mental and social well being and

not merely the absence of disease or infirmity, in all matters relating to the reproductive system

and to its functions and processes. ( Journal of Family Welfare,1996)

In this study it refers to the range of health concerns related to reproductive system which
 includes changes during adolescent period (physical and psychological), factors affecting

adolescent health and development, functions of reproductive system (production of gametes and

hormones, reproduction& menstruation) and reproductive tract infections and sexually

transmitted infections.

4.Information booklet

In this study it refers to the written and valid information about the changes during adolescent

period (physical and psychological), factors affecting adolescent health and development,

functions of reproductive system, reproductive tract infections and sexually transmitted

infections.

6.6 Assumptions

1. Adolescent girls will answer honestly to the questions.

2. Adolescent girls have some knowledge regarding the reproductive health.

3. Information booklet is an aid to improve the knowledge regarding reproductive health among

adolescents.

6.7 Delimitation

The study will be delimited to adolescent girls of age group13-17 in selected high schools at

Mangalore.

6.8 Hypothesis

H1: There will be significant association between the knowledge regarding reproductive health
7
and selected variables.

Material and Method

7.1 Source of data

Adolescent girls of age group13-17 in selected high schools at Mangalore.

7.1.1 Research Design

Descriptive design
7.1.2 Settings

The study will be conducted in selected high schools at Mangalore.

7.1.3 Population

Adolescent girls of age group 13-17 in selected high schools at Mangalore.

7.2 Methods of data collection

7.2.1 Sampling Procedure

Purposive sampling

7.2.2 Sample size

100 adolescent girls

7.2.3 Inclusion Criteria for Sampling

Adolescent girls between the age group of 13-17.

Adolescent girls who are willing to participate in the study.

7.2.4 Exclusion criteria for sampling

Adolescent girls who are absent during the time of data collection

7.2.5 Instruments intended to be Used

Baseline proforma

Structured knowledge questionnaire

7.2.6 Data collection Method

The investigator will obtain permission from the concerned authorities of the selected

schools. Informed consent will be taken from the subjects. The investigator will administer the

structured knowledge questionnaire to assess the knowledge level regarding the reproductive

health.

7.2.7 Data Analysis Plan

Descriptive statistics

Collected data will be analyzed by descriptive statistics such as mean, standard deviation,
 frequencies and percentages.

Inferential Statistics

‘t’ test and chi-square are used to find out the association between knowledge regarding

reproductive health and selected variables.

Collected data will be presented in the form of tables and diagrams.

7.3 Does the study require any investigations/interventions to be conducted on patients or

the humans or animals. If so please describe briefly.

Yes. The investigator will administer structured knowledge questionnaire to adolescent girls to

assess their knowledge regarding reproductive health.

7.4 Has ethical clearance been obtained from your institution in case of 7.3:

Yes. Ethical clearance has been obtained from the ethical committee and consent will be

obtained from the subjects.

List of References

1. Mathew SS. Effectiveness of planned teaching programme on adolescent crisis for the
mothers of preadolescents and adolescent children attending a selected school in
Mangalore. Unpublished master in nursing dissertation submitted to RGUHS, Bangalore;
2005.

2. WHO. Towards adulthood: Addressing the reproductive health needs of adolescents in

India: Directions for programmes;2003.

3. WHO. Towards adulthood : Adolescent reproductive health in South Asia;2003.

 4. Ahuja A and Tewari S. Awareness of pubertal changes among adolescent girls. J Fam
Welf 1995Mar; 41(1):46-50.

5. Shereen J. Jejeebhoy. Reproductive health information needs in India: Has NFHS filled
the data gaps?. J Fam Welf 1996Mar;42(1):7-23.

6. Singh.SP, Singh M, Arora M. Knowledge assessment regarding puberty and

menstruation among school adolescent girls of district Varanasi,U.P.Indian J Prev Soc
Med 2006Jan-jun;37( 1& 2):9-14.

7. Das.LK. A study to ascertain the knowledge of sexual health in senior school girls of
selected schools in North East Region and its relationship to selected background
factors.Unpublished master in nursing dissertation submitted to University of Delhi,1991.

8. Ashwini Bhalerao, Kokodkar PC, Raval MY. The role of audio –visual programmes in
creating awareness about Reproductive health in adolescent girls. J Obstet Gynaecol
India1992Nov;43:257-61.

9. Thakor HG, Kumar P. Need assessment for sex education amongst the school children.
Indian J Community Med1998Apr-jun;23(2):62-8.

10. Mandal.K. An experimental study to evaluate the effectiveness of planned teaching

programme on menstrual hygiene for high school girls. Published master in nursing
dissertation submitted to University of Delhi;1998.

9 Signature of the candidate

10 Remarks of the guide

11 Name & Designation of MRS.IRENE T.R.ALVARES M.SC. (N)

(in block letters)
11.1 Guide ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR
 COMMUNITY HEALTH NURSING

FATHER MULLER COLLEGE OF NURSING

MANGALORE

11.2 Signature

11.3 Co-guide (if any)

11.4 Signature

12 12.1 Head of the Department MRS.IRENE T.R. ALVARES M.Sc. (N)

HEAD OF THE DEPARTMENT

COMMUNITY HEALTH NURSING

FATHER MULLER COLLEGE OF NURSING

MANGALORE
12.2 Signature

13 13.1 Remarks of the Chairman and Principal

13.2 Signature