Intervention for the comprehension of menstrual cycle, body function and pregnancy in adolescents from rural context

Abstract

Objective. To measure the impact of an intervention on adolescents’ knowledge of the phase of the menstrual cycle with more likelihood of pregnancy and identify its associated factors. Materials and methods. A quasi-experimental study in two rural communities. Difference-in-differences analyses was performed. Results. There was a 22.1% average reduction in wrong answers on the phase of the menstrual cycle with more likelihood of pregnancy in the intervention group versus the control group (p<0.001). We founded six factors associated with this knowledge: marry and have chil­dren, right to receive education and information on sexual and reproductive health; gender equity; use of the condom; condom self-efficacy; emergency and contraceptive pills. Conclusion. There is a prevailing need to improve -among sexuality topics- basic knowledge of reproductive biology, while at the same time insisting on the benefits of using birth control methods provided for practicing responsible sexuality.

Keywords

• adolescent
• sex education
• menstrual cycle
• health evaluation
• rural community