A study to assess the effectiveness of structured teaching program on the awareness of reproductive rights of a woman among adolescent girls in selected schools of east Khasi Hills, Meghalaya

Abstract

Reproductive rights are fundamental for individual autonomy, dignity, and access to quality healthcare, yet a significant awareness gap persists among adolescent girls due to prevailing cultural and social barriers. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of a Structured Teaching Program (STP) in improving awareness of reproductive rights among adolescent girls. A quasi-experimental, one-group pre-test post-test design was employed, involving 150 adolescent girls aged 16–19 years from selected schools in East Khasi Hills, Meghalaya. Knowledge was evaluated using a 20-item structured questionnaire before and after the intervention. The mean pre-test score of 12.09 (SD = 2.79) increased significantly to 14.02 (SD = 2.49) in the post-test (p<0.05). The most substantial knowledge gains were observed in the domains of the right to education (34.3%), the right to quality reproductive health (30.3%), and the right to make informed reproductive decisions (18.1%). These findings demonstrate that a Structured Teaching Program is an effective method for enhancing knowledge, underscoring the necessity of integrating such educational interventions into school curricula to empower adolescent girls with the information needed to safeguard their health and autonomy.