Empowering Adolescent Girls: Impact of a Self-Instructional Module on Knowledge of Leucorrhea Prevention and Home Management

Abstract

Background: Leucorrhea is a thick, whitish or yellowish vaginal discharge, commonly caused by estrogen imbalance. Adolescents are particularly susceptible due to hormonal changes, and lack of awareness regarding prevention and home management can increase the risk of complications. Proper hygiene practices and a nutrition-rich diet can prevent leucorrhea. Methods: An evaluative research approach with a quasi-experimental design was adopted. The study was conducted at Parul Institute and Ideas College, Vadodara. A purposive sample of 60 adolescent girls was selected. Knowledge regarding prevention and home management of leucorrhea was assessed before and after implementing a structured instructional module. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, including paired t-test and chi-square test.

Results: In the pre-test, 98.3% of participants had inadequate knowledge, 1.7% had moderate knowledge, and none had adequate knowledge. Post-test findings revealed that 88.3% had adequate knowledge and 11.7% had moderate knowledge, with none demonstrating inadequate knowledge. The pre-test mean knowledge score was 31.1%, which increased to 88.8% in the post-test. The paired t-test showed a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05), indicating the effectiveness of the structured instructional module. Knowledge scores were significantly associated with the degree of white discharge (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: The structured instructional module was effective in significantly improving adolescent girls’ knowledge regarding prevention and home management of leucorrhea. Educational interventions can play a crucial role in promoting adolescent reproductive health.