264711 Effectiveness of Adolescent Reproductive Health Education in Jinja, Uganda

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Hilary Wolf, MD , Department of Pediatrics, Division of Adolescent Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
Hayley Teich, MD , 300 Longwood Ave, Children's Hospital Boston, Boston, MA
Ramon Murphy, MD MPH , Global Health Center, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY
Jessie Stone, MD , Administration/Medicine, Soft Power Health, Purchase, NY
Natasha Anandarja, MD , Global Health Center, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY
Charles Kalumuna, MCHB, Msc TMIH, DTM&H , Director Clinical Services, Soft Power Health, Kampala, Uganda
Background: Prior research has shown that Ugandan adolescents lack reproductive health knowledge, accounting in part for the staggering rates of unwanted teen pregnancies and HIV infections that plague this population. This study aims to 1) implement and evaluate the effectiveness of an education program to assess reproductive health knowledge retention and 2) determine whether Ugandan adolescents' current STI and contraceptive knowledge varies by their previous sexual experience, age and school grade.

Methods: 129 adolescents (ages 15-19) in Jinja, Uganda completed surveys at local schools and community NGOs that examined knowledge of STIs and contraception. The surveys were completed at baseline, immediately after a 1.5-hour education session, and 3-weeks post-intervention.

Results: Participants' knowledge of STIs and contraception increased (p<.001 for both) after participating in the education session and knowledge was retained 3-weeks later. Chi square tests showed that, at baseline, a greater proportion of adolescents had received information about STIs than contraception (76% vs 33%, respectively, (p<.001). Previously sexually experienced and older adolescents were more likely to have prior knowledge of contraception (p<.03 for both). Receipt of prior contraceptive information did not vary by high school grade level completed (p<.22). However, higher grade level completed in school was associated with an increased receipt of STI information (p<.002).

Conclusions: It appears that Ugandan adolescents lack contraceptive knowledge. STIs are discussed in school at a higher rate than contraception. Participants' reproductive health knowledge improved significantly after reproductive health education sessions. Implementation of reproductive health education programs into Ugandan schools is imperative.

Learning Areas:
Administer health education strategies, interventions and programs
Assessment of individual and community needs for health education
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Protection of the public in relation to communicable diseases including prevention or control

Learning Objectives:
1. Identify baseline knowledge of sexually transmitted infections and contraception compared to knowledge after a reproductive health session in Ugandan adolescents. 2.Identify how Ugandan adolescents' current STI and contraceptive knowledge varies by previous sexual experience, age and school grade.

Keywords: Reproductive Health, Adolescents, International

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am a Board Certified Pediatrician and have conducted clinical research I reproductive health and global health. I was the lead author on an investigation evaluating two stool DNA extraction techniques and stool PCR for pediatric tuberculosis diagnosis in Lima, Peru. I was also the lead author on an investigation pertaining to adolescents’ sexual decision-making. I continue to write grants and IRB applications as the primary investigator pursuing reproductive health in East Africa.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Back to: 5019.0: Poster Session: Reproductive Health & Family Planning