Dr. Pia Kiwan: Advancing Awareness of Puberty Education Among Pre-Pubertal Girls in Low Socioeconomic Communities
Dr. Pia Kiwan: Advancing Awareness of Puberty Education Among Pre-Pubertal Girls in Low Socioeconomic Communities
In the evolving landscape of child and adolescent health, few topics remain as under-discussed yet critically important as puberty education—particularly among young girls living in low socioeconomic environments. Cultural sensitivities, limited access to healthcare education, and social stigma often prevent open dialogue, leaving children unprepared for the physical and emotional changes they will inevitably experience. Addressing this gap requires not only clinical expertise but also cultural understanding, advocacy, and a commitment to public health awareness.
Dr. Pia Kiwan, a distinguished pediatrician and neonatologist from Lebanon, stands at the forefront of this essential mission. With extensive clinical training, academic leadership, and global public health experience, Dr. Kiwan has dedicated her work to improving child health outcomes through education, research, and community-focused initiatives. Her upcoming presentation, “Knowledge of Pre-Pubertal Girls about Puberty in Low Socioeconomic Class in an Arabic Country,” sheds light on a topic of immense importance within pediatric and adolescent medicine.
Dr. Kiwan will be a featured speaker at the 5th World Child Health, Adolescent Medicine, and Child Psychology Conference & Exhibition, scheduled for June 18–20, 2026, in Dubai, UAE, with virtual participation available, offering global access to her impactful research.
Dr. Pia Kiwan is a highly respected pediatrician and neonatologist based in Beirut, Lebanon. Her medical journey reflects a strong foundation in both clinical excellence and academic leadership. She completed her pediatric residency in Lebanon, where she gained extensive experience in child healthcare across diverse clinical settings. Seeking advanced specialization, Dr. Kiwan pursued a fellowship in neonatology in France, further strengthening her expertise in neonatal and pediatric care.
Her international training provided her with a broad clinical perspective and exposure to evidence-based practices, which she has seamlessly integrated into her work in Lebanon. Today, Dr. Kiwan serves as an Assistant Professor at the University of Balamand, where she plays a vital role in shaping the next generation of pediatricians. In this academic capacity, she is actively involved in teaching, mentoring pediatric residents, and conducting impactful clinical and public health research.
Beyond her clinical responsibilities, Dr. Kiwan is deeply committed to research and medical education. At the University of Balamand, she actively contributes to research initiatives that address pressing child health challenges in the region. Her academic work emphasizes translating research findings into practical, community-oriented solutions, ensuring that knowledge extends beyond academic journals and into real-world application.
Dr. Kiwan’s dedication to resident training is particularly noteworthy. By mentoring pediatric residents, she helps cultivate not only clinical competence but also a sense of responsibility toward underserved populations. Her approach encourages young physicians to view medicine as both a science and a social mission.
Kiwan's work extends beyond national borders through her collaboration with international health organizations. She has served as a consultant for the World Health Organization (WHO), focusing on malnutrition, a critical public health issue affecting millions of children worldwide. This role allowed her to engage in population-level health strategies, policy development, and community-based interventions.
Her experience with WHO reinforced her understanding of how social determinants—such as poverty, education, and access to healthcare—shape child health outcomes. This global health perspective directly informs her current research, including her study on puberty awareness among young girls in low socioeconomic settings.
Puberty marks a significant developmental milestone, yet for many girls in low socioeconomic communities, it arrives with confusion, fear, and misinformation. Cultural taboos and limited health education often prevent open discussions about menstruation, bodily changes, and emotional development. As a result, pre-pubertal girls may enter adolescence without the knowledge needed to understand or manage these changes confidently.
Recognizing this gap, Dr. Kiwan initiated a study to assess the knowledge and awareness of puberty among pre-pubertal girls from low socioeconomic backgrounds in Lebanon, an Arabic country where cultural sensitivity plays a significant role in health education. Her research aims not to assign blame but to highlight systemic gaps and advocate for early, age-appropriate health education.
The cultural context of Arabic societies adds layers of complexity to puberty education. Discussions about menstruation and bodily development are often considered private or taboo, particularly for young girls. While families play a central role in education, parents themselves may lack accurate information or feel uncomfortable addressing these topics.
Dr. Kiwan’s study provides valuable insights into how these cultural and socioeconomic factors influence health literacy among young girls. By focusing on pre-pubertal populations, her research emphasizes the importance of early education—before misconceptions take root and anxiety develops.
This work contributes to a growing body of evidence supporting the integration of puberty education into pediatric care, school health programs, and community outreach initiatives, particularly in underserved populations.
Dr. Kiwan firmly believes that awareness is the first step toward empowerment. Her research is driven by the conviction that informed children are better equipped to navigate physical and emotional changes with confidence and dignity. By identifying knowledge gaps, her work lays the foundation for targeted educational interventions that are culturally appropriate and socially acceptable.
Her study advocates for collaboration between healthcare providers, educators, parents, and policymakers to normalize conversations about puberty and adolescent health. Such collaboration is essential for creating sustainable change, particularly in communities facing economic and social challenges.
Kiwan's upcoming presentation at the 5th World Child Health, Adolescent Medicine, and Child Psychology Conference & Exhibition represents a significant contribution to the global dialogue on child and adolescent health. This international platform brings together pediatricians, researchers, psychologists, educators, and public health professionals from around the world.
Her research resonates beyond Lebanon, as many low- and middle-income countries face similar challenges regarding health education, gender equity, and access to information. By sharing her findings with a global audience, Dr. Kiwan fosters cross-cultural learning and encourages the adoption of best practices in puberty education and adolescent health promotion.
In an era where adolescent mental health, gender equity, and health literacy are gaining global attention, Dr. Kiwan’s work is both timely and impactful. Early puberty education has been linked to improved self-esteem, reduced anxiety, better menstrual hygiene practices, and healthier long-term outcomes.
For policymakers and healthcare professionals, her study underscores the need to integrate puberty education into pediatric and public health frameworks. For educators and parents, it serves as a reminder that silence can be a barrier to healthy development.
The 5th World Child Health, Adolescent Medicine, and Child Psychology Conference & Exhibition, taking place from June 18–20, 2026, in Dubai, UAE, offers a unique opportunity to engage with thought leaders like Dr. Pia Kiwan. With virtual participation available, the conference ensures accessibility for global attendees.
This international event will feature cutting-edge research, clinical insights, and interdisciplinary discussions aimed at advancing child and adolescent healthcare worldwide.
To learn more about Dr. Pia Kiwan, visit:
https://child-adolescent-medicine.utilitarianconferences.com/speaker/dr-pia-kiwan
Early Bird Registration is now open – secure your spot by January 15, 2026, and take advantage of exclusive discounted rates.
To register for the conference:
https://child-adolescent-medicine.utilitarianconferences.com/registration
For queries, WhatsApp:
https://wa.me/+971551792927
Dr. Pia Kiwan’s work exemplifies the powerful intersection of clinical excellence, academic leadership, and social responsibility. Her research on puberty awareness among pre-pubertal girls in low socioeconomic communities highlights an often-overlooked aspect of child health that has profound implications for well-being, dignity, and empowerment.
Through her dedication to awareness, education, and research, Dr. Kiwan continues to inspire meaningful change—locally, regionally, and globally. Her voice at the upcoming international conference will undoubtedly contribute to shaping a more informed, compassionate, and inclusive future for child and adolescent healthcare.
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