Awareness level of family planning methods in adolescent girls of different socio-economic groups in rural sectors, in central India

Background: Adolescence, the transition from childhood to adulthood is an important crossroad. Studies are available which suggest that a considerable number of adolescent boys (16 to 14%) and girls (1 to 10%) engage in premarital sexual activity. All though importance of health education and health counseling for adolescents have been incorporated in the formal education system but there are no large scale community based studies to assess awareness level of adolescent girls about the method of family planning. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of socio-economic factor on the awareness level of adolescent girls with special reference to the methods of family planning, and their concepts about long term effects of high population growth. Methods: The study samples were higher secondary girl students between 15 to 19 years of age in 5 rural schools (Hindi & English medium) of Wardha district, Maharashtra, India. The survey programme was conducted during a period of one year from July 2011 to June 2012. A questionnaire was prepared in local language. Results: The education level of parent in upper-middle (group A) was significantly more than low-economic group (group B). Knowledge about hormonal contraceptive pill in group A was significantly high than group B and the idea about surgical technique and condom was also high in group A than group B. Regarding emergency contraceptive technique, the idea in group A was high but in group B, the rate was very low. Conclusions: The awareness programme should be conducted in formal education in the school curricula so that adolescent girl’s knowledge, attitude and practice can be assessed.