Educational Program regarding Reproductive Health for Handicapped Adolescents in Sharkia Governorate

Background: Handicapped adolescents represent a significant portion of the world’s
population and when compared to those without handicapping, are four times more probable
to show fair or poor health. Aim: To assess the effect of educational program regarding
reproductive health for handicapped adolescents in Sharkia Governorate. Subjects and
Methods: It was a Quasi-experimental research design conducted at Al Noor and Al Amal
schools in Sharkia Governorate. Purposive sample of ninety one students Blind and Deaf
students from El-Amal School for Deaf and Hard for Hearing, and El-Nour School for Blind
in Sharkia Governorate. Two tools were used; I.: A structured interview sheet consisting
of three parts: Part A; Demographic characteristics of the student. Part B; Student's
knowledge about reproductive health. Part C; Students’ menstrual history.
II. An
observational checklist to assess the student's self-report practice related to perineal care and
personal hygiene regarding self-care during menstruation. Results: Generally, the sample
was deficient in pre-intervention except for their knowledge about abortion (81.3%), while
after implementation of the educational program their knowledge was improved (P≤ 0.001).
Additionally, regarding perineal care, 32.9% of handicapped adolescents (blind and deaf)
before intervention performed practice about perineal care, while after program
implementation the percentage was 82.1% and 86.7% at post-intervention and follow up
respectively. Conclusion: This study results provided evidence that after application of the
educational intervention among handicapped adolescents (blind & deaf) at Al Noor and Al-
Amal schools their knowledge, and practices about reproductive health improved in all
components (p < 0.001). Recommendation: Continuous health education programs should be
implemented to increase handicapped adolescents’ about awareness of
reproductive health
and menstrual hygiene practices.