The Effectiveness of Life Skills Program on Life Skills to Prevent Risky Sexual Behaviours in Primary School Students, Thailand

Abstract

Risky sexual behaviors are a very serious problem, especially in youth and adolescence. This study aims to compare the effects of and integrated sex education and life skills program on life skills to prevent risky sexual behaviors in primary school students. Design: The study was conducted using a quasi-experimental, pre-posttest 2-group design. Sample: 34 primary students were in the control group, and 34 primary students were in the experiment group. Intervention: The experimental group participated in the integrated sex education and life skill program to promote life skills and prevent risky sexual behaviors, while the control group participated in the usual educational program regarding sexual and reproductive health that already exists in schools. Measurements: The data on both groups were gathered through questionnaires assessing demographic characteristics and life skills for preventive risky sexual behaviors. Results: The results revealed significant differences between the experimental and control groups (t-test = 2.39, p-value < 0.05) 3 months after the life skills programs, while no significant difference was noted in the experimental group (mean difference = -2.53, p-value > 0.05). Conclusions: The integrated sex education and life skill program posed potential utility for primary students and also capable provision for further study for other groups.