EFFECTS OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM TO ENHANCE HEALTH LITERACY ON SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES PREVENTION BEHAVIORS AMONG 7 TH-GRADE STUDENT LEADERS IN HIGH SCHOOL SAVANNAKHET PROVINCE, LAO PDR.
Abstract:
The purpose of this research was to study the effects of educational program to enhance health literacy on sexually transmitted diseases prevention behaviors among 7th-grade student leaders in high school Savannakhet Province, LAO PDR. This was the quasi-experimental research using a two-group pretest-posttest design. The sample group consisted of 126 high school students (Grade 7), divided into an experimental group of 63 students and a control group of 63 students. The study lasted for 6 weeks, and it utilized two components for investigation. The first part was an educational program to enhance health literacy on sexually transmitted diseases prevention. This program was developed based on the "Medagogy" theory and utilized "PITS model" teaching methods. The second part consisted of data collection, including a general information questionnaire and a questionnaire on sexual behavior prevention practices. The data was analyzed by descriptive statistics and inferential statistics, specifically the Independent t-test and Paired t-test. The results of this research are as follows:
After receiving the program, the experimental group showed a significantly higher average score in sexual behavior prevention practices among high school students compared to before receiving the program at p<.001, and also higher than the control group at p<.001. Suggestion:
Suggestions from the educational program to enhance health literacy on sexually transmitted diseases prevention behaviors among high school student leaders could be applied to groups of students in other areas with similar contexts.