Volume 36, Issue 256 (4-2026)
J Mazandaran Univ Med Sci 2026, 36(256): 54-64 |
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Kazemi Z, Mortazavi Mehrizi M, Rahmati A. Development and Evaluation of a Sexual Self-Care Educational Package for Reducing High Risk Behaviours among Adolescent Girls. J Mazandaran Univ Med Sci 2026; 36 (256) :54-64
URL: http://jmums.mazums.ac.ir/article-1-22541-en.html
URL: http://jmums.mazums.ac.ir/article-1-22541-en.html
Abstract: (267 Views)
Background and purpose: Adolescence is a critical developmental stage characterized by profound physical, psychological, and social changes. These transitions can predispose adolescents to health-risk behaviors if they lack adequate knowledge and preventive skills. Risky behaviors, including unsafe sexual activity, substance use, and violence, significantly compromise both immediate well-being and long-term quality of life. This study aimed to develop a comprehensive sexual self-care package and evaluate its effectiveness in reducing risky behaviors among adolescent girls.
Materials and methods: This study employed an exploratory mixed-methods (qualitative-quantitative) design. In the qualitative phase, a sexual self-care package was developed through semi-structured interviews with adolescents, parents, and experts, followed by content validation. In the quantitative phase, a quasi-experimental design with pretest–posttest, follow-up, and a control group was implemented. The statistical population included all female high school students in Shiraz during the 2024-2025 academic year. Thirty students were selected through cluster sampling and randomly assigned to either the experimental (n = 15) or control (n = 15) group. The experimental group received 11 sessions of 90-minute training based on the developed package. Data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) in IBM SPSS Statistics version 26.0.
Results: The findings indicated that the mean scores of risky behaviours in the experimental group were significantly lower than those in the control group in both the posttest and follow-up phases (P< 0.01). Furthermore, the main effect of time and the interaction effect of time and group were statistically significant, indicating the sustained effectiveness of the intervention over the follow-up period.
Conclusion: The results demonstrate that the sexual self-care package is an effective and sustainable intervention for reducing risky behaviours in adolescent girls. Integrating such culturally adapted and evidence-based programmes into school curricula may play a vital role in promoting adolescents’ health and preventing social and health-related consequences.
Materials and methods: This study employed an exploratory mixed-methods (qualitative-quantitative) design. In the qualitative phase, a sexual self-care package was developed through semi-structured interviews with adolescents, parents, and experts, followed by content validation. In the quantitative phase, a quasi-experimental design with pretest–posttest, follow-up, and a control group was implemented. The statistical population included all female high school students in Shiraz during the 2024-2025 academic year. Thirty students were selected through cluster sampling and randomly assigned to either the experimental (n = 15) or control (n = 15) group. The experimental group received 11 sessions of 90-minute training based on the developed package. Data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) in IBM SPSS Statistics version 26.0.
Results: The findings indicated that the mean scores of risky behaviours in the experimental group were significantly lower than those in the control group in both the posttest and follow-up phases (P< 0.01). Furthermore, the main effect of time and the interaction effect of time and group were statistically significant, indicating the sustained effectiveness of the intervention over the follow-up period.
Conclusion: The results demonstrate that the sexual self-care package is an effective and sustainable intervention for reducing risky behaviours in adolescent girls. Integrating such culturally adapted and evidence-based programmes into school curricula may play a vital role in promoting adolescents’ health and preventing social and health-related consequences.
Type of Study: Research(Original) |
Subject:
psychology
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