Awareness regarding reproductive health and contraception among adolescent girls attending a tertiary care centre in Jaipur, Rajasthan: a cross-sectional study

Suman Ruheala; Arpana Singhal; Reshu Gupta

doi:10.18203/2320-1770.ijrcog20262549

Authors

Suman Ruheala Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Government RDBP Jaipuria Hospital attached to RUHS College of Medical Sciences, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
Arpana Singhal Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Government RDBP Jaipuria Hospital attached to RUHS College of Medical Sciences, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India https://orcid.org/0009-0002-9492-7271
Reshu Gupta Department of Physiology, RUHS College of Medical Sciences, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2320-1770.ijrcog20262549

Keywords:

Adolescence, Reproductive health, Contraception, Menstrual hygiene, Awareness

Abstract

Background: Adolescence is a critical transitional period associated with major physical, psychological, and reproductive changes. Inadequate reproductive health knowledge among adolescent girls increases the risk of menstrual health problems, sexually transmitted infections, unintended pregnancies, and unsafe abortions.

Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 156 adolescent girls attending the outpatient department of obstetrics and gynecology at Government Rukmani Devi Beni Prasad (RDBP) Jaipuria Hospital, Jaipur, Rajasthan, from February to June 2024. Participants who had attained menarche and consented to participate were included. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire assessing reproductive health and contraceptive knowledge. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics software (version 26.0; IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA).

Results: Most participants (73.1%) demonstrated moderately adequate knowledge, while only 5.8% had adequate knowledge regarding reproductive health and contraception. Media and social media applications were the most common source of information (35.89%). The lowest knowledge scores were observed in menstrual hygiene practices (29.3%) and reproductive anatomy and physiology (41.3%). Significant associations were found between knowledge levels and residence (p<0.001), medium of instruction (p=0.014), and maternal educational status (p=0.043).

Conclusions: Although adolescent girls had moderate awareness regarding reproductive health and contraception, important gaps persisted in menstrual hygiene, reproductive anatomy, and contraceptive knowledge. Structured, age-appropriate, and culturally sensitive reproductive health education programmes are needed to improve adolescent reproductive health literacy.

Author Biographies

Suman Ruheala, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Government RDBP Jaipuria Hospital attached to RUHS College of Medical Sciences, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India

Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Government R.D.B.P. Jaipuria Hospital attached to RUHS College of Medical Sciences, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India

Arpana Singhal, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Government RDBP Jaipuria Hospital attached to RUHS College of Medical Sciences, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India

Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Government R.D.B.P. Jaipuria Hospital attached to RUHS College of Medical Sciences, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India

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