Peren, May 28 (MExN): Adolescent Clubs performed street plays in Peren district and Kohima to create awareness on adolescent health and Non Communicable Diseases on May 27. The programmes were organized by respective District Health Society.
In Peren district, the Adolescent Club, whose members are from Peren Town Baptist Church Sunday School Department, performed the street plays at Christian High School Jalukie Town, main town Jalukie, and Baptist High School Samzuiram Village.
They focused on teenage pregnancy and early marriage – Adolescent Reproductive & Sexual Health (ARSH) and Non Communicable Diseases (NCD) – prevention and control of cancer, hypertension, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.
The plays aimed to educate and create awareness on the above issues, their causes and risk factors and consequences. “The objective is to provide accurate information and educate in the simplest form, thus the channel street play has been initiated,” informed a press release from Pezanguno Celine Secü, District Media Officer, CMO office, Peren.
The plays were performed in the morning and afternoon hours with different age groups gathering to watch. Health talks were also given by the district IEC personnel to create more intensive awareness and to reach out more.
IEC materials, i.e., pamphlets and leaflets on cancer, hypertension, diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease were distributed to the audience. Also, a questionnaire on teenage pregnancy was distributed in order to assess the impact of the plays and whether or not awareness is effective.
State team from the Directorate of Health & Family Welfare, IEC Bureau led by Health Education and Training Officer, Supongla and Program Co-ordiantor NCD Abeni attended the plays for monitoring and supervision. Meanwhile, in Kohima, the street plays were performed at Chandmari colony ward no-12 and ward no-13 focusing on Adolescent Reproductive & Sexual Health (ARSH).
Kungcham Dailiam, Media Officer offered words of encouragement to the adolescent members before the play. Deputy MEIO took the technical session by imparting talk on ARSH. She sensitized the participants on the physical and emotional changes which happen during the adolescent period, informed a separate press release. She also stressed on the services available at the Adolescent Friendly Health Clinics. Speaking on the importance of Weekly Iron Folic Acid Supplement (WIFS), she touched on anaemia problems, dangers of early pregnancy, hygienic issues, and encouraged students to inculcate healthy lifestyle.
She further spoke on Abstinence. “Abstinence is a good way to protect oneself from many reasons like risk pregnancy, HIV/AIDS and other Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs),” the official stated. She further emphasized that abstinence gives time to each and every one to learn about relationships in a safe way.
Street play on ‘Danger of Early Pregnancy’ was performed at Chandmari ward no-13 in collaboration with IEC Bureau activities on NCD, while the Adolescent Club members performed on ‘Menstrual Hygiene’ at Ward No-12 as there was a medical camp at Urban Primary Health Centre. For maximum impact on the adolescent age group, the club members shared their experiences of adolescent period and also about being part of the club. ARSH leaflets were distributed to the adolescents who came to consult doctors.
