Reproductive health education program for Mexican women

Abstract

Abstract Objective: Improve knowledge, attitudes and reproductive behaviours through an educational intervention aimed at reproductive health in two groups of Mexican women. Materials and methods: We carried out an education program targeting two segments, indigenous women and marginalised adolescents, with a pre-test, immediate post-test and post-test six months after it was carried out. Instruments used: a reproductive health history was established (pre-test and post-test six months) and a questionnaire of knowledge, attitude and conduct related to reproductive health and condom use (pre-test, immediate post-test and post-test six months). Results: Improved test scores in reproductive health and condom use – knowledge, attitude and conduct, were notable in the group of indigenous women (p < .05). However, in the group of adolescents there was a significant increase (p < .05) only in reproductive health – knowledge and attitude; in condom usage, increase was only noted in knowledge and conduct, not in attitude (pre-test vs immediate post-test). Six months after post-test results there was a decrease in test scores in comparison with the immediate post-test results. They were however, higher than the pre-test scores. Conclusions: Both groups significantly increased short-term knowledge, attitude and conduct related to reproductive health and condom use through the implementation of an education program. Results show that this education program can contribute to the development of an effective education program.