Effectiveness of a Youth-led Educational Program on Sexual and Reproductive Health for Thai Early Adolescents

Using a quasi-experimental, pre-post test, two groups design, this study sought to examine the effectiveness of a youth-led educational program on sexual and reproductive health for Thai early adolescents. The sample consisted of 169 students from two primary schools in a northern province of Thailand. Students from one school (n=80) were assigned to the experimental group, while students from the other school (n=89) were assigned to the control group. Students assigned to the experimental group received a youth-led educational program on sexual and reproductive health, while those in the control group received the school’s usual educational program regarding sexual and reproductive health. Data were gathered on both groups, prior to and after the experimental group’s completion of the youth-led program, by way of six questionnaires that assessed: demographic characteristics; sexual and reproductive health knowledge and attitude; sexual risk behavior attitudes; pros and cons of sexual involvement; attitude toward condom use; and safe sex and refusal sex self-efficacy. Analyses of the data included the use of: descriptive statistics; chi-square; Fisher’s exact test; independent t-test; paired t-test; and, ANOVA with repeated measures. Results revealed significant differences between the experimental and control groups, three months after the educational program, in terms of: knowledge and attitudes toward sexual and reproductive health; pros of sexual involvement; and, attitude toward condom use. However, no significant differences were noted between the two groups regarding: sexual risk behavior attitudes; cons of sexual involvement; and, safe sex and refusal sex self-efficacy. The findings suggest a youth-led program is beneficial in strengthening some aspects of adolescents’ understanding of sexual and reproductive health. Pacific Rim Int J Nurs Res 2011 ; 15(2) 81-96