<![CDATA[Menstrual discomfort and limited reproductive health knowledge can interfere with adolescents’ daily activities and educational participation. School-based health education provides an opportunity to address misconceptions and improve understanding of menstruation and related health concerns. This community outreach program aimed to improve students’ knowledge of menstruation, menstrual cycle irregularities, and dysmenorrhea at SMP Negeri 7 in Cilegon, Indonesia. The program involved 60 students, comprising 40 female and 20 male participants. Educational activities included PowerPoint-assisted lectures, interactive discussions, and question-and-answer sessions. Students’ understanding was evaluated descriptively through oral questioning before and after the educational sessions, along with observations of their participation. All 40 female participants reported experiencing dysmenorrhea. Initial assessments revealed limited knowledge of hormonal regulation of the menstrual cycle, factors contributing to menstrual irregularities, and the definition, causes, and management of dysmenorrhea. Following the educational intervention, participants’ oral responses indicated improved immediate understanding of these topics, while their active participation in discussions reflected engagement with the educational content. These findings suggest that interactive health education may help students relate their menstrual experiences to practical reproductive health knowledge. However, the evaluation did not establish long-term knowledge retention, behavioral changes, or reductions in menstrual pain. School-based menstrual health education may contribute to improving adolescents’ menstrual health literacy. Further research using validated assessment instruments, comparison groups, and longitudinal follow-up is recommended to evaluate its sustained effectiveness and potential behavioral and health outcomes.]]>
Copyrights © 2026
