A study on reproductive health of adolescent girls of Dongria Kondh tribe

Abstract

Background: Health problem in adolescent girls are different from the younger children and older adults. In the tribal population they are more neglected    because of limited health care facilities and lack of education. In the present study we have done   assessment of reproductive health status of adolescent girls in the Dongria Kondh tribe in Odisha. Methods: Dongria Kondh’ residing in Rayagada district of Odisha having its maximum concentration was studied. Bissam Cuttack block was selected randomly as the study area. Moreover, coincidently majority of the study population resided in the block having villages like Kurli, Khambesi, Hundijali, Muthesi, Khajuri, Mundabali and Uppar Gandatallli which are situated as a distance of 5000 ft height above sea level. 89 adolescent  girls were considered Schedule of general information of the family, schedule cum questionnaire on KAP on reproductive health and Lab investigation done among study subjects for prevalence of HIV/AIDS was done. Results: About 75% of adolescent girls had regular menstruation. Dysmenorhoea was present in 13% of girls. All girls are poor menstrual hygiene.84% of adolescent girls knew about menstruation from their friends. About 61% were not aware about physical changes in pregnancy. Conclusions: Counseling of adolescent girls and their mothers on sexual hygiene should be done by AWW/HWF. Health care delivery system to be strengthened by training and capacity building of AWW/HWF.