Evaluation of sex and reproductive education and training for the rural adolescent
Jacobo Yamada, D.; Herrera Castro, M.; Cota Cardenas, F.; Nunez Martinez, M.; Guzman Osuna, R.
Revista Medica del Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social 40(2): 137-143
2002
ISSN/ISBN: 0443-5117 Document Number: 245218
A transverse multicentre study was conducted in 17 centres in towns in rural areas of Mexico to determine the effectiveness of a sexual and reproductive education programme in adolescents. A total of 466 adolescents (aged 10-19 years) attended the centres and participated in an education programme co-ordinated by satellite. The programme consisted of an initial educational evaluation followed by an intervention combining interpersonal communication and education study units covering family communication, adolescent sexuality, early pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. The evaluation was repeated after completion of the programme. The mean age of the adolescents was 13 years; 32.6% were students in the first year of secondary school, 19.9% were in the second year, and 23.5% were in the third year. Sexual and reproductive knowledge after completing the programme was rated as 85.6, which was an improvement of 10.8 points compared with before the intervention. It is concluded that the strategy of formal sexual and reproductive education via satellite improved the knowledge levels of adolescents.