The Effectiveness of a Safe Sex Education Program: Open-Minded Conversations Between Adults and Their Children in Bueng Sam Phan Sub-district, Bueng Sam Phan District, Phetchabun Province

Abstract

This quasi-experimental research aimed to investigate the effectiveness of a safe sex education program focused on open-minded conversations between adults and their children. The sample comprised 30 adults caring for children aged 11-19 years in Bueng Sam Phan sub-district, Bueng Sam Phan district, Phetchabun province, selected through purposive sampling. The research instrument was the safe sex education program, which included five learning activities: 1) Ice-breaking and introduction, 2) Enhancing parental confidence, 3) Emotional awareness and the "Understanding Each Other" station, 4) Reflecting on the past and life timeline, and 5) Creative communication and evaluation. Data collection instruments included: 1) a questionnaire assessing attitudes, knowledge, and skills in communicating about safe sex, and 2) a mental health assessment form. Data were collected between June and July 2024 and analysed using percentages, means, standard deviations, and Paired t-tests. The findings revealed a statistically significant difference (p<.05) in the mean scores of attitudes, knowledge, safe sex communication skills, and mental health after participation in the program compared to before the intervention. Specifically, significant improvements were observed in: attitudes towards understanding contemporary adolescents (t=2.76), knowledge about reproductive health (t=9.10), knowledge about safe sex (t=11.88), self-emotion management skills (t=12.04), communication skills with adolescents (t=3.26), skills in communicating about sex with adolescents (t=5.75), and mental health (t=6.02)