Effect of the Sexual Education Program on the Knowledge and Attitude of Preschoolers’ Mothers

Abstract

Introduction: Sexual instinct needs education and training similar to other aspects of the human life. Education can promote changes in knowledge and attitudes of parents, especially mothers. Education has a main role in teaching healthy sexual behaviours among pre-school age children. Aim: To investigate the effect of the sexual education program on the knowledge and attitude of preschoolers� mothers. Materials and Methods: This quasi-experimental study was consucted in two healthcare centers in an urban area of Iran. Study subjects were preschoolers� mothers, which were selected using a multistage method. For each control and experiment groups, 39 individuals each were selected. The experiment group participated in four educational sessions in four weeks, one session per week. A self-administered questionnaire was developed for data collection. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data analysis. Results: Statistically significant differences in the mean score of knowledge and attitude between the groups immediately and eight weeks after the education program were reported (p < 0.001). The mean score of knowledge was increased from 27.23 to 34.2 immediately and to 37.44 eight weeks after the education program. The mean score of attitude in the experiment group significantly was increased from 48.54 to 59.15 immediately and to 64.49 eight weeks after the intervention (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The sexual education program influenced the knowledge and attitude of preschoolers� mothers. Therefore, mothers should be empowered regarding children�s sexual education. © 2018, Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research. All rights reserved.