An Investigation into Sexual and Reproductive Health Awareness among Adolescent Girls in Kohalpur Municipality Banke, Nepal

Abstract

This research paper aimed to examine the level of knowledge and attitude of adolescent girls and their parents regarding sexual and reproductive health education. The study collected primary data from adolescent girls aged 16-19 years and their parents in Kohalpur municipality Banke, Nepal. The respondents were asked about their knowledge of sexual and reproductive health (SRH). Out of 219 respondents, only 23 girls (10.50 percent) reported having knowledge of SRH. Most of the respondents (69.57 percent) obtained information on SRH from school or their teachers, and 82.64 percent of the respondents had knowledge about adolescence. Although all respondents had heard about menstruation, only 40.64 percent had knowledge about sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and 41.56 percent had knowledge about family planning. Furthermore, only 26.04 percent of the total respondents agreed that SRH education could protect against STIs, HIV, and AIDS. 69.86 percent of the respondents believed that the best age for marriage is 20-24 years, and 57.07 percent of the respondents thought that SRH education is necessary for adolescent girls. Only 3.65 percent of the total respondents shared their SRH-related problems with their parents, while almost half of them shared their problems with their friends. None of the respondents reported having engaged in sexual activity. The study found that adolescent girls in Kohalpur Municipality Banke have limited knowledge about SRH, and their sources of information are inadequate. Consequently, they are vulnerable during this sensitive phase of their lives. The study recommends that the community, educational institutions, and other stakeholders take urgent measures to improve the condition of adolescent girls concerning sexual and reproductive health.

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