Project to Reduce the Teenage Pregnancies Through Health Education at MOH Level

Abstract

Background: Teenage pregnancy represents a persistent public health challenge with far-reaching consequences, particularly in regions like the Egodauyana MOH area within the Colombo RDHS. This highlights the urgent need for effective interventions to address this issue.Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of school sexual and reproductive health education (SSRHE) as a public health awareness tool at the MOH level in reducing teenage pregnancies.Methods: This study involved the implementation of SSRHE programs in 12 high-risk schools. The target population consisted of students in grades 10 and above.Results: Result in 2021, a total of 75 teenage mothers had registered; 34 individuals (45.3%) belonged to Group 1, comprising teenage mothers attending school and residing in the area, while the remaining 41 individuals (54.7%) were classified under Group 2, encompassing non-resident teenage mothers. The age distribution revealed that 44 teenage mothers were aged 18–19 years, 28 were in the 16–17 age group, and three were under 16 years. In 2022, registered teenage pregnancies decreased to 68. Within this cohort, 17 individuals (26.5%) were classified as belonging to Group 1, while 51 individuals (73.5%) were categorized under Group 2. The age distribution revealed that 48 teenage mothers were aged 18–19 years, 16 were in the 16–17 age range, and four were under 16 years old. There was a statistically significant reduction in teenage pregnancies within Group 1 when compared to 2021 (p = 0.014). Conversely, Group 2 experienced a substantial increase (p = 0.0000) in teenage pregnancies.Conclusion: This study highlights the value of inclusive SSRHE programs in reducing teen pregnancies at the MOH level as a public health education tool.