The Influence of Health Education Using Leaflet Media on Adolescent Girls’ Knowledge about Menstruation at Escola Básica 3º Ciclo Sagrado Coração de Jesus, Timor-Leste

Abstract

Menstruation is a normal physiological process experienced by adolescent girls during puberty. In Timor-Leste, reproductive health education remains limited, and many adolescent girls lack adequate information about menstruation. This community service program aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of health education using leaflet media in improving knowledge regarding menstruation among adolescent girls at Escola Básica 3º Ciclo Sagrado Coração de Jesus, Timor-Leste. A one-group pretest–posttest design was conducted involving 30 adolescent girls aged 12–16 years. Health education was delivered through interactive lectures, discussions, question-and-answer sessions, and leaflet distribution. Participants' knowledge was assessed before and after the intervention using a structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and paired sample analysis to determine changes in knowledge scores.The mean pretest score was 51.30 ± 10.25, increasing to 86.40 ± 8.15 after the intervention. Statistical analysis revealed a significant improvement in participants' knowledge following health education (p < 0.001). Participants demonstrated better understanding of menstrual physiology, menstrual hygiene management, and common misconceptions regarding menstruation. Leaflet-based health education effectively improved adolescent girls' knowledge regarding menstruation. This educational approach can be used as a practical and effective strategy to strengthen school-based reproductive health promotion, particularly in settings with limited access to reproductive health information.