Assessment of Knowledge of Peer Educators Selected for the ARSH Programme: a New Initiative

One third of the Indian population is being contributed by the adolescents (10-19 years). The adolescents are a vulnerable group to many social, physical, cultural and health implications. The government of India has started an integrated health programme named as, Adolescent Reproductive and Sexual Health (ARSH) Programme, to achieve the better adolescent's health in every aspect. This will be delivered through the peer educators selected from the community. The current cross sectional survey was done in Sonepat district of Haryana among the 144 peer educators selected for the ARSH Programme. The mean age of the study participants was 15.7 years. About one forth (23.6%) of them were students of under secondary classes and one third were 12th passed. All were residing in rural areas. Majority were aware about the harmful effect of habit forming substances (73%).the awareness about the RTI/STI was low (53.4%) and most common source of information school teachers followed by audiovisual sources. Small proportions were aware about unsafe sex, unsafe abortion and teenage pregnancy. Awareness level about the adolescent related issues was low. Need to sensitize the teachers and parents as well and incorporation of adolescent health issues in school health programme.