1. STUDENTS AWARENESS ONSTUDENTS AWARENESS ON
REPRODUCTIVE HEALTHREPRODUCTIVE HEALTH
EDUCATION IN SRI LANKAEDUCATION IN SRI LANKA
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Ayomi Indika IrugalbandaraAyomi Indika Irugalbandara
Senior LecturerSenior Lecturer
Department of Secondary & Tertiary EducationDepartment of Secondary & Tertiary Education
Faculty of EducationFaculty of Education
The Open University of Sri lankaThe Open University of Sri lanka
aiiru@ou.ac.lkaiiru@ou.ac.lk
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2. OUT LINEOUT LINE
1. Introduction
2. Literature Review
3. Objectives of the study
4. Methodology
5. Findings
6. Recommendations03/08/15
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3. DefinitionDefinition
Reproductive Health (RH)Reproductive Health (RH)
Reproductive Health is a state of complete physical,Reproductive Health is a state of complete physical,
mental and social well-being, and not merely themental and social well-being, and not merely the
absence of reproductive disease or infirmity.absence of reproductive disease or infirmity.
Reproductive health deals with the reproductiveReproductive health deals with the reproductive
Processes, functions and system at all stages of life.Processes, functions and system at all stages of life.
- United Nations Population Information Network (Popin - 2008)- United Nations Population Information Network (Popin - 2008)
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4. What is Adolescence?What is Adolescence?
Adolescence is defined as the period between 10 and 19
years of age (WHO)
It is a continuum of physical, cognitive, behavioral and
psychosocial change that is characterized by increasing
levels of individual autonomy, a growing sense of identity
and self-esteem and progressive independence from adults..
- UNEPA 2009
(Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health Toolkit for Humanitarian
Settings, A Companion to the Inter-Agency Field Manual on Reproductive
Health in Humanitarian Settings - UNEPA , September 2009)
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5. Children, Adolescents, Youth & YoungChildren, Adolescents, Youth & Young
PeoplePeople
TERM AGE RANGE SOURCE
Children 0-18 years Children Convention on
the Rights of the Child
Adolescent 10-19 years UNFPA, WHO, UNICEF
Very young
adolescent
10-14 years UNFPA, UNICEF
Youth 15-24 years UNFPA, WHO, UNICEF
Young people 10-24 years UNFPA, WHO, UNICEF
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6. Why focus on Adolescent RHE?Why focus on Adolescent RHE?
 Adolescents make up a large proportion of the population
in the developing world, where most humanitarian
emergencies occur, their RH are largely unmet.
 In 2000, 29% of the population in developing countries
was of adolescent age; in the least developed countries,
adolescents accounted for 32% of the total population.
 From Sri Lankan population, 3.7 million (19.7%)
adolescents
 Out of them 2.7 million (72.9%) adolescents are still
schooling
 YOUTH IS THE FUTURE OF A NATIONYOUTH IS THE FUTURE OF A NATION
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7. Importance for EducationImportance for Education
RHE can provide information and skills to reduce risk.RHE can provide information and skills to reduce risk.
Correlation between educational level and sexual healthCorrelation between educational level and sexual health
outcomes,outcomes,
 Better knowledgeBetter knowledge
 High levels of health seekingHigh levels of health seeking
Good quality comprehensive sexuality education reducesGood quality comprehensive sexuality education reduces
unintended pregnancies, delays sexual debut, developingunintended pregnancies, delays sexual debut, developing
values, attitudes, and practices that respect individuals andvalues, attitudes, and practices that respect individuals and
protect their health and rights.protect their health and rights. 03/08/1503/08/15 A.I.IrugalbandaraA.I.Irugalbandara
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8. Literature ReviewLiterature Review
International agreement confirms that adolescents need and
have a right to sexual and reproductive health (SRH)
information and services.
ICPD - 1994
RH Education is not about promiscuity or encouraging
young people to have sexual relationships. On the contrary,
it gives young people the opportunity to explore their
values and attitudes while building the skills to make
decisions, communicate with others, and reduce the health
risks related to sexuality.
(UNESCO; International Technical Guidance(UNESCO; International Technical Guidance
on Sexuality Education, 2009)on Sexuality Education, 2009)
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9. Objectives of the studyObjectives of the study
1. The level of awareness of Reproductive Health education
among adolescents.
2. Adolescents’ sources of awareness regarding Reproductive
Health Education.
3. Attitudes towards abortion among adolescents.
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10. MethodologyMethodology
 The sample of the study consisted of 160 adolescent boysThe sample of the study consisted of 160 adolescent boys
( 90) and girls (70)selected from 1AB and 1C schools.( 90) and girls (70)selected from 1AB and 1C schools.
Main data collection instrument is questionnaires.Main data collection instrument is questionnaires.
 Age group was 16-19 years.Age group was 16-19 years.
 Qualitative and Quantitative techniques were used toQualitative and Quantitative techniques were used to
analyze the data.analyze the data.
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11. FINDINGSFINDINGS
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12. The level ofThe level of awareness of adolescents on RHEawareness of adolescents on RHE
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Highest
Average
Poor
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13. Adolescent’s sources of awareness regarding RHEAdolescent’s sources of awareness regarding RHE
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14. Peer commentsPeer comments
Boys comments ;Boys comments ;
““peer-to-peer” communicationpeer-to-peer” communication
““friends are a good way to get informationfriends are a good way to get information
about these issues”.about these issues”.
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15. Knowledge on abortion of adolescentsKnowledge on abortion of adolescents
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16. Attitudes Towards AbortionAttitudes Towards Abortion
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17. Attitudes Towards AbortionAttitudes Towards Abortion
Foetus in the uterus has the right to existence
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18. RecommandationsRecommandations
Considering the large adolescent population (3.7
million), in Sri Lanka, and the prevailing
environment, improvement of knowledge on
reproductive health could be viewed as a priority
issue.
RHE should be included in the school curriculum
Parents should be involved as the primary sex
educators
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Increase the public awareness on the importance ofIncrease the public awareness on the importance of
proper RHE to adolescents.proper RHE to adolescents.
The skills of school teachers in teaching RH toThe skills of school teachers in teaching RH to
students should be re-assessed and deficienciesstudents should be re-assessed and deficiencies
corrected.corrected.
The education and health ministries should planThe education and health ministries should plan
integrated strategies to meet this need among theintegrated strategies to meet this need among the
school .school .
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20. The revision of the curriculum should be considered inThe revision of the curriculum should be considered in
terms of comprehensiveness and the time of introduction ofterms of comprehensiveness and the time of introduction of
different topics.different topics.
Development of material, training teachers, ensuringDevelopment of material, training teachers, ensuring
proper monitoring and evaluation of RHE activities in theproper monitoring and evaluation of RHE activities in the
school system.school system.
Dham Pasala (Sunday school) be harnessed for theDham Pasala (Sunday school) be harnessed for the
provision of HR education linked with cultural values,provision of HR education linked with cultural values,
ethics, and social well-being.ethics, and social well-being.
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21. Thank you forThank you for
your time!your time!
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