The Effectiveness of a Structured Education Program on Vaginitis and How to Prevent It Among Teenage Girls at a Particular Pre-University College in Mangaluru

Abstract

Background: Among Indian teenagers, vaginitis is a very common reproductive tract illness. The term "vaginitis" is frequently used in medicine to refer to a number of disorders that cause irritation, inflammation, or infection of the vulva and vagina. It usually happens as a result of chemical irritants, hormonal fluctuations, or a disturbance in the natural balance of good vaginal flora and yeast. Bacterial vaginosis (BV), yeast infections (candidiasis), and trichomoniasis (a sexually transmitted infection) are the three most prevalent forms. The symptoms, which include unusual discharge, itching, burning, and odour, can be extremely uncomfortable even though it is very treatable. This study assessed the effectiveness of a structured education program on vaginitis awareness and how to prevent it among Teenage Pre-University (PU) girls in Mangaluru.

Methods: A one-group pre-test/post-test pre-experimental design was used. Forty teenage Pre-University girls, ages 15 to 19, were chosen using purposeful sampling. Before and after the structured education program was administered, information was gathered using a structured knowledge questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistics (paired t-test and chi-square test) were used for analysis.

Findings: In the pre-test, 10% of individuals had sufficient knowledge, 17.5% had insufficient knowledge, and 72.5% had moderately sufficient knowledge. Overall knowledge increased statistically significantly, according to post-test results. Pre-test knowledge levels and a few chosen demographic factors did not significantly correlate according to chi-square analysis.

Conclusion: Adolescent Pre-university (PU) girls' knowledge and comprehension of vaginitis and how to prevent it were greatly improved by the organised education program. The girls showed significant knowledge gaps about menstrual hygiene, reproductive health, and preventing vaginal infections before the intervention. The quantifiable increase in their post-test knowledge scores demonstrates how successful school-based, focused educational initiatives are in empowering young women. Misconceptions are successfully dispelled, good self-care practices are encouraged, and important gaps in adolescent healthcare education are filled by providing factual medical information in an organised manner.