Empowerment of Mother's Groups to Improve Adolescent Reproductive Health

Abstract

Adolescent reproductive health is a multidimensional issue encompassing physical, mental, and social well-being. In rural communities such as Telogo Pojok Village, Gresik, discussions about reproductive health between parents and adolescents are often considered taboo, resulting in limited parental involvement and inadequate adolescent understanding of sexual health risks. This condition contributes to early sexual activity, poor hygiene practices, and vulnerability to reproductive health problems. This action research aimed to empower mothers to improve their knowledge and active role in monitoring adolescent reproductive health. The intervention was conducted in five phases: health education, group mentoring, maternal monitoring, empowerment, and evaluation. Forty mothers representing each neighborhood unit (RT) participated in structured sessions facilitated by qualified mentors. Data were collected through pre- and post-tests, observational monitoring, and self-reported questionnaires. Results showed a significant increase in maternal knowledge, with the proportion of mothers categorized as having “good” knowledge rising from 25% to 47.5% after the intervention. All mothers (100%) demonstrated active involvement in educating and monitoring their adolescent children, compared to none prior to the program. Adolescents monitored showed normal reproductive development, good hygiene practices, and no reported health issues. In conclusion, the study demonstrates that structured mentoring and empowerment of mothers can effectively enhance adolescent reproductive health outcomes. The findings highlight the importance of family-based interventions and culturally sensitive education in addressing reproductive health challenges in rural settings.