Knowledge of Pubertal Changes and Self-Care in Adolescent Boys

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: The proportion of adolescents population has grown rapidly since last decade. Pakistan is among those countries having largest youth population in the world. These adolescents have some common misconceptions about pubertal changes. The purpose of this study was to determine perceptions and practices of adolescents’ boys about puberty, and to assess effectiveness of educational sessions on knowledge of adolescents about puberty at secondary school F.B. area Karachi. METHODS: Time series pre and post quasi-experimental design was used to conduct the study. Need assessment was done to assess adolescent needs of Secondary School students. On the basis of need assessment session were arranged for the student of class VIII, IX & X. Pre & Post mean score of knowledge was calculated to see the effectiveness of the sessions. RESULTS: Over all Fifty-eight participants were enrolled in the study. However, for need assessment 15 subjects were selected. Approximately half of the participants were unaware about their pubertal age. 73.33% of the adolescents reported that they felt shame and hypersensitive over the physical changes they experience in pubertal age group. Interestingly, 53.33% of the adolescents reported that they talk about these changes with their parents. Pre-test mean score was 4.12 with standard deviation of ±1.339, while Post-test means score was 5.43 and standard deviation was ±1.523. Adolescent scores improved from 4.12 in Pre-test to 5.43 in Post-test. CONCLUSION: In conclusion the adolescent boys feel hypersensitive over physical changes they experience in pubertal age group. Most of them have misconceptions about puberty, which may lead to poor physical and mental health. The knowledge of adolescents regarding puberty significantly improved after educational sessions.

Keywords

• adolescent
• knowledge on puberty
• pubertal changes.