Effectiveness of a program promoting sexually transmitted infections literacy and social support on preventive intentions among grade 8 students in Nonthaburi Province
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.14456/taj.2024.8Keywords:
preventive intentions for sexually transmitted infections, sexually transmitted infections literacy, peer social supportAbstract
This quasi-experimental study aimed to investigate the effects of a health education program on sexually transmitted infections (STIs) literacy and preventive intentions for sexually transmitted infections among grade 8 students in a secondary school in Nonthaburi province. The sample consisted of 71 students, divided into an experimental group of 32 students and a comparison group of 39 students. The experimental group received a health education program developed based on health literacy and social support concepts. The program comprised seven sessions, each lasting 50 minutes, conducted over a period of six weeks. Activities included skill training in accessing, understanding, questioning, decision-making, and applying information through lectures, learning from video clips, participation in activities, brainstorming, group presentations, and discussions, with social support provided by peers. Data were collected using questionnaires administered before and after the experiment. Data analysis employed descriptive statistics, such as frequency distribution, mean, standard deviation, and analytical statistics including chi-square, paired t-test, independent t-test, Wilcoxon Signed Ranks test, and Mann-Whitney U test. The results showed that after the experiment, the experimental group demonstrated higher skills in accessing, understanding, questioning, decision-making, and applying literacy regarding STIs and improved STIs preventive intention compared to before the experiment. Theysignificantly outperformed the comparison group (p<0.05). Therefore, the Ministry of Education should implement policies for schools, teachers, and responsible individuals that integrate content and teaching methods to enhance students' literacy skills regarding STIs. Additionally, they should provide ongoing supplementary activities to reinforce these skills. Furthemore, the roles of friends, guardians and teachers should be enhanced to promote preventive behaviors against STIs among students.
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