Valdez, J. V. L. (2014). Life skills approach for improving knowledge, attitudes and practices on reproductive health of adolescents - a school-based youth health program in Santa Maria, Romblon (Unpublished master's thesis). Graduate School of Public and Development Management, Development Academy of the Philippines.

Graduate School of Public and Development Management Health Systems and Development Batch 4 Thesis (MPM-HSD)--Development Academy of the Philippines.

Adolescent health is a complex and multifaceted concern, one that is generally undervalued and overlooked in the primary care setting. Reproductive health, likewise, is typically associated with opposition based on religious and cultural grounds. Thus, the promotion and provision of adolescent reproductive health (ARH) services pose a unique set of challenges for the public health manager, and these challenges may eventually lead to poor outcomes like increasing rates of teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. In the Municipality of Santa Maria, Romblon, the high rates of teenage pregnancy have been determined to be due in part to the inadequacy of knowledge, proper attitudes and practices of adolescents on their reproductive and sexual health. Existing programs that could have addressed this gap are limited by the societal and religious opposition typical of reproductive health programs. Thus, an innovative intervention is needed to enable the youth to make responsible decisions regarding their sexual and reproductive health.