Peer education of reproductive health among youth
F Ramezanitehrani, H Malekafzali, N Peikari, S Djalalinia,
F Hejazi
NRCRH, Deputy of Research & Technology, MOHME, Tehran,
Iran
Objective(s) Peer education is considered as the most
effective method for improving reproductive health awareness , attitude and
practice among youth. This interventional study has been conducted in order to
youth health promotion.
Design and method An interventional study has been
conducted in Qazvin Medical University and 24 students have been selected
according to their knowledge, communication skills ,having team work experiences
,and etc through interview peer promoters. These students have been trained in
different aspects of reproductive health. A pre interventional study has been
done before establishing of these peer promoters activity among university
student who has recruited randomly. The students education and counselling was
performed through formal and informal method. A post interventional study has
been conducted after 9 month in order to find its effectiveness.
Results The average reproductive awareness of university
students has been increased significantly and 73.4% of students who received
this service were satisfied. They said that the peer promoters were succeed in
problem solving specially among sensitive subjects such as contraception using ,
sexual reproductive problems , marriage counselling . The most important topic
that here to be considered in peer educators were: relationship between boys
& girls (47/8%), Marriage (30/4%) , sexual problems (12/2%) , STI /
AIDS(4/8%), pregnancy (3/3%) and family planning (1/5%). 87/1% of students
believed peer education is an acceptable and useful method for reproductive
health education and has be considered for future training.
Conclusion Peer education and counselling reproductive
health should be consider as satisfied method to improve youth health.
KEY WORDS Peer education, reproductive health ,youth