Health Education Programme

Chamila Harshanie Balasooriya
FMS/R/2834
22/8/2012
Post 2

Under the health education programme, we had selected to go to “SHILPA” orphanage, which was situated in Narahenpita. Our main objective was to educate children about some useful topics according to their age. We have 5 members in our group. Ur topic was menstrual hygiene. We had prepared a questionnaire in order to assess their knowledge prior to the session about menstrual hygiene. We have also designed some posters to make the session more attractive. 6 girls who were belonged to age group 13-15 were allocated to us. First we asked them to answer the questionnaire, and then we started advising them accordingly.

We advised them about,

·         Physiological process happening during the menstrual cycle

·         Hormonal changes occurs during this period

·         How to manage cleanliness during menstruation

·         Diseases associated with vaginal discharges

·         Child abuse

·         Preventing child abuse

At first they were not very familiar with us. But later when we talked them in a friendly manner, we were able to build up a good friendship with them. They discussed about their questions openly. Truly, it was not a discussion, not just like a lecture. We respected to their ideas and encouraged them to talk.

During this session we were able to change some of their wrong attitudes regarding menstrual cycle. Other members who are in our clinical group also arranged programmes based on various topics. How to brush teeth properly, how to wash hands properly, how to manage first aid in emergencies, and about stress relieving activities.

We were amazed to see how they were smiling between thousands of problems and how they were managing life with limited facilities’. That was really appreciable. Finally we waved them goodbye with friendly hearts and this visit remains in my mind as an unforgettable memory.