الفهرس 
Abstract
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Abstract
Adolescents are at high risk for the developmental problems since puberty onset occurs at this life phase. The study aim was to identify the knowledge and attitudes of adolescent female students regarding the physical and psychological changes of puberty. This cross-sectional analytic study was carried out in the preparatory and
secondary schools in Albrahimiah district in Sharkiah governorate on a stratified multi-stage cluster sample of 520 adolescent girls. A self-administered questionnaire sheet was used to collect data. The fieldwork was from mid-February to mid-April
2013. The findings revealed generally deficient knowledge and unfavorable attitudes of adolescent female students regarding the physical and psychological changes of
puberty, with the attitudes lower than knowledge, but they are positively correlated. A relatively large sector of students is anxious about adolescence, and their practice of
exercise and hobbies is low. Students’ knowledge is influenced by certain factors related to schools, age, family characteristics and media at home, and practicing exercise and having hobbies. The factors that may influence attitude are school, level of education, father job, residence, and having computer at home. Most students are willing to attend health education programs about the anatomy/psychology of
reproductive system, but they are reluctant to attend sexual education programs, and prefer mothers, sisters, and grandmothers as sources of information. It is recommended that female adolescents’ reproductive health be improved through a multi-sectoral approach with the cooperation of the parents at home, health-care
providers particularly nurses, and school teachers. Dedicated adolescents’ health services are urgently needed. Nurses should exert more efforts in training school teachers as well as mothers and family members in dealing with adolescents’ information needs.