Health Awareness of Rural Adolescent Girls: An Intervention Study

A study was planned to fulfill the objectives of awareness in adolescent girls regarding the health aspects and an intervention impact of health awareness of the adolescent girls. A total of 244 adolescent girls in the age of 14 to 19 years were selected randomly from government schools of two villages of Bhal region of Ahmedabad district of Gujarat. The tools for assessment consisted of socio-economic status scale and a general awareness scale. The sample group was pretested on their level of general awareness which focused specifically on health aspects. The intervention was given for six months to the girls through lectures, discussions and demonstrations. Post testing was done on the girls after the period of intervention. Results showed that the knowledge of girls regarding health aspects improved significantly after intervention. There was a considerable increase in the awareness levels of girls with regard to knowledge of health problems, environmental health, nutritional awareness and reproductive and child health. Thus informative and educable intervention seems to have a positive effect on awareness levels which would eventually encourage expansion of knowledge and positive health habits.