Abstract :
Background: Adolescents have many misconceptions regarding reproductive and sexual health and lack
access to age and gender appropriate health information. So, they find out about the same from inauthentic
sources of information. Attitudes and decisions based on such information greatly influence a woman’s health.
Objectives: This study was carried out to study the knowledge, attitude and practices regarding reproductive
and sexual health and to study the sources used to obtain information on reproductive and sexual health.
Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 400 schools going adolescent girls in rural
area of Maharashtra. Self-structured and pre-tested questionnaire was used to assess their knowledge and
attitude regarding reproductive and sexual health and study menstrual practices.
Results: Total 400 adolescent girls participated in the study. The knowledge and attitude of 164 (41.0%) and
315 (78.8%) participants respectively was poor. The menstrual practices of 271 (67.8%) participants were poor.
Conclusion: The knowledge, attitude and practices regarding reproductive and sexual health of more
than half the participants was poor. For development of healthy attitudes and practices, age and gender
appropriate health education is a must.
Keyword :
Attitude, Adolescents, Knowledge, Menstrual practices, Reproductive and sexual health