Occupational Therapy and Sexual and Reproductive Health Promotion in Adolescence: A Case Study

Occup Ther Int. 2016 Mar;23(1):19-28. doi: 10.1002/oti.1399. Epub 2015 Jul 14.

Abstract

Occupational therapy can contribute to sexual and reproductive health through health education. The purpose of this study was to describe an occupational therapy intervention aimed at sexual and reproductive health promotion in adolescents. Fifty-eight adolescents were involved in the study, before, during and after the interventions. Educative activities such as puzzles, storytelling, mime and board games were used, which occupational therapy faculty and students had constructed. The games were employed as mediators for gaining knowledge in sexual and reproductive health. Outcome was measured using a questionnaire, audio recordings and field diaries. The data were analysed by descriptive statistics and thematic content analysis. The results showed the adolescents' increased knowledge of sexual and reproductive health information immediately after the intervention. The thematic analysis was grouped into three categories: the adolescents' initial expectations regarding the project, reflections on the process experienced during the interventions and use of educational games by occupational therapists. The importance of rapport and dialogue was highlighted in the construction of interventions based on participatory methods. The absence of a longitudinal follow-up is a limitation in this study. Further research is important to systematically assess sexual health promotion strategies in adolescence.

Keywords: adolescence; educational games; health education; occupational therapy; sexuality.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Female
  • Games, Recreational
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
  • Health Promotion / methods*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Occupational Therapy / methods*
  • Professional-Patient Relations
  • Program Evaluation
  • Qualitative Research
  • Reproductive Health*
  • Sex Education / methods*
  • Sexual Behavior
  • Surveys and Questionnaires