Lack of Gynecological Education for Adolescent Girls
Disciplines
Public Health | Public Health and Community Nursing | Women's Health
Abstract (300 words maximum)
Background: In a variety of healthcare settings around the U.S., nurses and other healthcare professionals encounter hundreds of adolescent girls ages 12 to 19 experiencing early onset pregnancies. Many of these girls do not know about their reproductive health which causes an increase in illnesses and early onset of pregnancies. Purpose: This evidence-based project aimed at addressing the research question: For adolescent girls, does the use of proper gynecological education reduce the risk of early pregnancy? Research was conducted to examine the possible correlation between patients with proper gynecological education related to early onset pregnancy. Method: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-systematic research studies from peer reviewed journals were appraised to address the research question. Intentional pregnancies and unintentional, non-consensual intercourse leading to pregnancy were excluded from the research review. Results: Some schools teach about gynecological education, but most of these girls do not see a gynecologist until they are experiencing an issue. Lack of accurate gynecological care has led young women to draw conclusions about their invulnerability to pregnancy. Most adolescent girls are scared or embarrassed to talk to their parents about reproductive health especially in conservative households which ultimately leads to unprotected sex. Conclusion: Grade school students are not taught the sixteen essential topics of sexual education recommended by CDC. Greater parent-adolescent sexual health communication was associated with a lower likelihood of unprotected sex.
Academic department under which the project should be listed
Nursing
Primary Investigator (PI) Name
Mary Ramos
Lack of Gynecological Education for Adolescent Girls
Background: In a variety of healthcare settings around the U.S., nurses and other healthcare professionals encounter hundreds of adolescent girls ages 12 to 19 experiencing early onset pregnancies. Many of these girls do not know about their reproductive health which causes an increase in illnesses and early onset of pregnancies. Purpose: This evidence-based project aimed at addressing the research question: For adolescent girls, does the use of proper gynecological education reduce the risk of early pregnancy? Research was conducted to examine the possible correlation between patients with proper gynecological education related to early onset pregnancy. Method: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-systematic research studies from peer reviewed journals were appraised to address the research question. Intentional pregnancies and unintentional, non-consensual intercourse leading to pregnancy were excluded from the research review. Results: Some schools teach about gynecological education, but most of these girls do not see a gynecologist until they are experiencing an issue. Lack of accurate gynecological care has led young women to draw conclusions about their invulnerability to pregnancy. Most adolescent girls are scared or embarrassed to talk to their parents about reproductive health especially in conservative households which ultimately leads to unprotected sex. Conclusion: Grade school students are not taught the sixteen essential topics of sexual education recommended by CDC. Greater parent-adolescent sexual health communication was associated with a lower likelihood of unprotected sex.