Effect of instructional intervention about self-care

Abstract EN

Aim : to investigate the influence of an instructional intervention about self-care on promotion of female adolescents' reproductive health.

Setting: female hostel at Zagazig University.

Design : Pre-post intervention design.

Sample: All female adolescent students aged 17 to 19 years, and residing in the university hostel for at least 6 months.

Tool : pre-post self-administered questionnaire to evaluate female adolescent students' knowledge and misconceptions, and a checklist to assess the practice of breast self-examination and genital hygiene on models.

A self-instruction booklet was used for the intervention.

Results : statistically significant improvements were revealed in adolescents' knowledge and attitude post intervention in relation to self-care, reproductive biology, nutrition, hazard of FGM, premarital counseling and examination, consanguinity, and sexually-transmitted diseases.

A statistically significant positive effect of the intervention was noticed regarding adolescents' reported self-care practice of regular exercise, rest and sleep, as well as observed breast self-examination and genital hygiene on models. Most of the participants have identified their menstrual problems after the intervention, and utilized health services for management. Recommendations : programs for adolescent's friendly family and community are needed to empower all those who are in a position to deal with them such as parents, teachers, and health team members.

Training and guiding adolescents about self-care in reproductive health is recommended.