Female Adolescents' Reproductive Health Education Needs: Perspectives' of Health Care Providers

Abstract

Aim

To explore health care providers' perception towards adolescents' reproductive health education needs in order to improve health care services for adolescents.

Methods

In this cross-sectional study, 72 health care providers (including: 43 midwives, 23 family health practitioners and 6 family physicians) who were recruited by senus method completed an anonymous, self-administered questionnaire. Participants were selected from all of the urban health care centers (14 centers) in Sari city, in the North of Iran in 2011. Topics covered the participants' attitudes towards reproductive health needs' of adolescents in 5 Likert- scale types.

Results

Mean age of participants was 36.74±6.51 years and 90.32% were female. Findings revealed from health care providers' views; the highest mean score was assigned to “Education about prevention of sexual high risk behavior” (4.72±0.48) which was followed by “Education about life skills” (4.58±0.70) and “Education about undesired consequences of relationship with boyfriends” (4.57±0.74). The majority (62.5%) of participants stated if a female adolescent who was raped will refer to him/her in order to elective abortion, she/he will explain the side effects of this procedure for her. Finally, 52.7% of health care providers agreed if an adolescent will refer to him/her for receiving condom, he/she will provide it without any question.

Conclusion

The findings suggest a need for participation, support, and leadership of health care providers in formulation and implementation of policies related to adolescents' health.