Reproductive health awareness among adolescent girls in rural Bangladesh
Uddin, M.J.; Choudhury, A.M.
Asia-Pacific Journal of Public Health 20(2): 117-128
2008
ISSN/ISBN: 1941-2479 PMID: 19124305 DOI: 10.1177/1010539507311328Document Number: 311439
This article presents the status of rural Bangladeshi adolescent girls' awareness about reproductive health. Analysis of data revealed that a sizable proportion of adolescent girls had incorrect knowledge or misconceptions about the fertile period, reproduction, sexually transmitted diseases, and HIV/AIDS. Age, education either of adolescents or their mothers, residence, and exposure to mass media were the significant predictors of adolescent girls' knowledge about reproductive health. Strong efforts are needed to improve awareness and to clarify misconceptions about reproductive health. Improved access to mass media and education could improve rural Bangladeshi adolescent girls' awareness about reproductive health.