Abstract:
The purpose of this quasi-experimental research was to examine the result of Life Skill Development Program to prevent teenage pregnancy among early adolescents girls in foster homes. The participants (N = 60), were young girls, aged 10 -14, residing in foster homes in Thailand. Each home was randomly assigned to either an experimental or a comparison group (N = 30 each). Life skills were used as the conceptual basis for the teenage pregnancy prevention program. The program included four learning activities: (i) self-assessment about their abilities, strengths and weaknesses, self-reflection, and self-esteem improvement exercises; (ii) learning about sexual changes and adolescent development, gender difference and emotion management by using videos, and by observing changes to exchange and analyze with the group; (iii) using games, videos, and worksheets to find ways to prevent teenage pregnancy, by education and discussion about the causes and effects of sexual intercourse and teenage pregnancy, and; (iv) learning and, practicing, how to say no, and how to negotiate in risk situations. The duration of the study was 4 weeks. Thereafter, the participants were assessed on their life skills of self-esteem, self-awareness, critical thinking, ability to deny and negotiate, and on pregnancy prevention behaviors. Data were collected and analyzed using descriptive statistics, and were expressed as percentage, mean, and standard deviation. In addition to using Independent t-test, Chi-square, Likelihood Ratio Fishers Exact Test, and Two way Repeated Measures ANOVA, Repeated one way ANOVA was used in conjunction with post hoc Bonferroni correction. The results showed that the experimental group had a Life Skill score of self-awareness significantly higher than pre-intervention, and higher than that of the comparison group (p < 0.05). Likewise, they had a mean score of pregnancy prevention behavior significantly higher than pre-intervention, and higher than that of the comparison group (p < 0.05). In summary, life skill development to prevent pregnancy among early female adolescents in foster homes for girls can raise self-awareness about sexual change and teen development, and pregnancy prevention behaviors. Thus, this program can be used to educate and promote pregnancy prevention in female early adolescents.