Perceptions about normal physiological changes during adolescence and assessment of the impact made through an educational intervention program for adolescents in school children in a rural set up in Gujarat

Background: Adolescence is a period full of life marked by various changes such as biological, social, and psychological changes. Adolescence age group is particularly important seeing to the fact that this is a vibrant age group with lots of turbulence, energy, and lots of thought with changes in the thought process if put in correct direction can do wonders, but also there are chances of deviance in full. Objectives: The current study was carried out with the objectives of (i) educating the students on adolescent matters, the problems in this age group, sensitizing them to “life skill education,” and (ii) to assess the students’ learning and the impact made through the educational intervention program. Materials and Methods: The study was an educational intervention study. RHTC Bhadran was the chosen field area based on convenience. One school was identified in Bhadran. Boys of class IX (all 4 sections) and XI and XII class girls (all sections) were participants. The students were provided the adolescent education based on the module of UNICEF and NACO “Adolescent Education Programme.” Results: Mc Nemars test for two variables, namely, “knowledge about adolescence” and “knowledge about reproductive system,” before and after is highly significant both for males and females. Students both boys and girls responded to the focused group discussion questions and participated actively. Conclusion: There is a lack of knowledge about adolescent health and reproductive system in school going adolescents. The common source of information is most often the peers and Internet which creates more confusion than education. A well-formulated discussion by medical professionals in schools can bring about significant change in the understanding of students and their needs.