PANEL ORGAN - KIIT University
PANEL ORGAN - KIIT University
PANEL ORGAN - KIIT University
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must be tailored to the unique developmental needs of young people and to the contexts<br />
and cultures in which they live. Family members, teachers, and programmers all should<br />
understand and respond to the unique needs of this age group in changing social scenario.<br />
The diversity of sexual behaviours and sexual health needs also demands a range of<br />
prevention strategies among them. It is to be noted that the present study provides<br />
community level baseline information on the reproductive health aspects in this Himalayan<br />
State and the findings of study may help formulating health policy for the adolescent girls<br />
in this regard<br />
BHATTACHARYYA, Nandini, Department of Anthropology, <strong>University</strong> of Calcutta, 35,<br />
Ballygunge Circular Road, Kolkata-700019, E-mail: <br />
Reproductive and Sexual Health Issues of Young Married Women: A Study on Rural<br />
West Bengal<br />
Marriage brings radical change to the life of a young woman. In India, 53.4 % are married<br />
below the age of 18 years. Initiation of sexual activity among young women takes place<br />
overwhelmingly within the context of marriage. Early marriage, early childbearing,<br />
experiences of regular sexual relations, less use of contraceptives, unsafe induced<br />
abortion and prevalence of sexually transmitted infections positioned married girls as a<br />
vulnerable group in terms of reproductive and sexual health. Marriages at a young age<br />
undermine a woman’s education, thereby hindering personal development, economic<br />
prospects, employment opportunities, social networks, and overall health and wellbeing.<br />
The present study tried to find out the magnitude of reproductive and sexual health<br />
problems of young married women and their knowledge, attitude and practices about<br />
different reproductive and sexual health issues. The study was conducted among young<br />
married rural women of two districts of West Bengal who presently aged 24 years or<br />
below, who got married in their adolescent age, have given birth to at least one child.<br />
Results reveal that majority of the study participants has married at an early age (