Meeting Sexual and Reproductive Health Needs of Adolescent Girls in a Community Setting

R.S. Goyal, Indian Institute of Health Management (IIHMR)

This paper discusses the processes and outcomes of a behavioural change communication project undertaken to meet the sexual and reproductive health (SRH) information needs of school going and out of school adolescent girls in a community setting carried out during 2001-2004 in selected rural and urban localities in Rajasthan (India). The baseline study (sample size-600) indicates that: Social pressures for normative behaviour are diluting. Around one fourth of girls have had premarital sex relationships. Majority of sex encounters were unprotected. Peer image and behaviour were most influencing factors in promoting premarital sex relationships. Most adolescents lacked ability to negotiate for safe sex. The assessment of outcomes showed an appreciable improvement in understanding of SRH matters, gender sensitivity, self-confidence and communication abilities among adolescents. The use of condom among sexually active adolescents has increased by almost 5 times. Creation of enabling environment has facilitated interventions.