An experimental study to assess the effectiveness of planned teaching program on knowledge regarding reproductive tract infections (RTI) among adolescent girls in selected schools of Jind, Haryana

Reproductive tract infections are endemic in developing countries and entail a heavy toll on adolescent girls. If untreated, reproductive tract infections can lead to adverse health outcomes such as infertility, ectopic pregnancy and increased vulnerability to transmission of HIV. This study was conducted to assess the existing level of knowledge regarding RTI among adolescent girls and to assess effectiveness of planned teaching program on knowledge. True experimental (pre-test- post-test control group) design was used for the study. A total of 100 samples (50 samples in experimental group and 50 samples in control group) were selected by using simple random sampling from two selected private schools of Jind, Haryana. Semi structured knowledge questionnaire was used for data collection. Descriptive statistics (Frequency distribution, Standard deviation mean, mean difference) and inferential statistics (unpaired ’t’ test, Chi-square test) were used for data analysis. The study findings revealed that the mean post-test knowledge sores (36.88) of experimental group was higher than the mean post-test knowledge score (31.16) of control group. The planned teaching program was effective for improving knowledge of adolescent girls [‘t’ value 6.187 at, P<0.05]. In experimental group, there was a significant association of age, educational status, income of the family per month and source of information regarding reproductive tract infections with pretest level of knowledge. whereas in control group, there was no association of selected demographic variables with pretest level of knowledge. Hence planned teaching program is very effective to improve knowledge.