title: Attitude of parents and teachers towards adolescent reproductive and sexual health education.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess parents' and teachers' attitude towards Adolescent Reproductive Sexual Health Education (ARSHE).
  
  
  METHODS
  The study group consisted of a random sample of 795 parents and 115 teachers belonging to three urban schools (one boys only, one girls only and one co-education) and one co-education rural school at Thiruvananthapuram district, Kerala, where an ICMR supported ARSHE intervention programme was done subsequently. A self-administered questionnaire for parents and teachers developed by an ICMR taskforce for ARSHE programme was used to assess their opinion on the need, content and the appropriate person to provide adolescent reproductive sexual health education in a school setting.
  
  
  RESULTS
  65.2% of parents and 40.9% teachers have not discussed growth and development issues with their adolescents. Only 5.2% teachers and 1.1% parents discussed sexual aspects with adolescents. 44% of parents agreed that information on HIV/AIDS/STD should be provided. More than 50% of parents were not sure whether information on topics like masturbation, dating, safe sex, contraceptives, pregnancy, abortion and childcare should be provided to adolescents.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results pointed out the need for introducing reproductive and sexual education in the school setting. Only 1.1% of parents and 5.2% teachers actually discussed sexual aspects with adolescents which highlights the need for parent and teacher awareness programs before ARSHE is introduced in the schools.
authors: Child Development Centre, Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram 695011 Kerala, India. cdcmkc@gmail.com
authors: M K C
authors: MK
authors: Nair
authors: M L
authors: ML
authors: Leena
authors: Mini K
authors: MK
authors: Paul
authors: H Vijayan
authors: HV
authors: Pillai
authors: George
authors: G
authors: Babu
authors: P S
authors: PS
authors: Russell
authors: Yamini
authors: Y
authors: Thankachi
references: J Adolesc Res. 1997 Oct;12(4):421-53
references: 12348560
references: Indian Pediatr. 2004 Jan;41(1):7-13
references: 14767082
references: Int Q Community Health Educ. 2005-2006;25(4):351-65
references: 17686707