Does Reproductive and Sexual Health Knowledge and Risk Behavior among School Going Adolescents varies in High and Low Urbanized Cities? Evidences from a Hilly State of India

The availability of information on sexual and reproductive health information need of adolescent, facilitates developing appropriate strategy to implement 'Adolescent Reproductive and Sexual Health Scheme (ARSH) in collaboration with school health programme.

The study sample covered 3069 randomly selected adolescents (students) from 9th to 12th standard in various government, private and missionary run schools from two districts namely Aizwal and Champhai in the State and information was collected by distributing anonymous schedule.

overall 94% were aware about HIV/AIDS but relatively less percentage of adolescents (83%) and approximately half of them (47%) knowing any of such symptoms of STDs. Nearly 23% respondents were aware about premarital pregnancy among friends and 7.5% were aware about complication due to unsafe abortion among them. The knowledge about emergency contraceptive pills was low (37%). About 70% disapproved premarital sex but opined that responsibility of safe sex with both the partners. About 10% accepted involvement in premarital sex and majority of them (70%) of them had premarital sex between age group 15–19 years and 54% never used condom.

Risk of unsafe sex is almost same in both the places. Better awareness and counseling and supportive services to adolescents are needed through school health education.