Awareness And Attitude Of Secondary School Teachers Towards Life Skills-Based Sexual And Reproductive Health Education (Lse-Srh)

Abstract

This study investigates the awareness and attitude of secondary school teachers in Balasore district, Odisha, towards Life Skills Education and Sexual and Reproductive Health (LSE-SRH). Using a two-stage sampling technique, 400 teachers (200 male and 200 female) from 45 schools were selected. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed to explore teachers’ understanding of key LSE-SRH topics, including adolescent sexuality, unsafe abortion, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), balanced diet, and teenage pregnancy, along with their attitudes towards related programs and policies. The findings reveal moderate levels of awareness among teachers, with male teachers demonstrating higher awareness in most areas, such as adolescent sexuality (82%) and unsafe abortion (55.33%). Conversely, female teachers exhibited greater knowledge of balanced diet (87%). However, misconceptions regarding contraceptive use and reproductive health persist, highlighting the need for targeted interventions. Attitudinal analysis shows positive responses, with male teachers displaying greater positivity towards awareness programs (84.3%) and policies (73.53%), while female teachers were more supportive of SRH education programs (85.76%). The mean awareness and attitude scores showed no significant difference between male and female teachers, but a positive correlation (r = 0.235) was observed, emphasizing that increased awareness improves attitudes towards LSE-SRH. The study underscores the critical role of teacher training in addressing gaps and promoting comprehensive LSE-SRH education. These findings provide a foundation for policymakers and educators to strengthen teacher capacity, ensuring effective delivery of LSE-SRH education in schools to benefit adolescents.