Effects of the culturally-sensitive comprehensive sex education programme among Thai secondary school students

  1. R. Thato1,
  2. R.A. Jenkins2,
  3. N. Dusitsin3

Article first published online: 8 MAY 2008

DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2648.2008.04609.x

Issue

Journal of Advanced Nursing

Journal of Advanced Nursing

Volume 62, Issue 4, pages 457–469, May 2008

Additional Information

How to Cite

Thato, R., Jenkins, R. and Dusitsin, N. (2008), Effects of the culturally-sensitive comprehensive sex education programme among Thai secondary school students. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 62: 457–469. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2648.2008.04609.x

Author Information

  1. 1

    R. Thato PhD RN Assistant Professor Faculty of Nursing, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand

  2. 2

    R.A. Jenkins PhD Psychologist Division of Epidemiology, Services & Prevention Research, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Bethesda, Maryland, USA

  3. 3

    N. Dusitsin MD Doctor Center for Research and Development of Sexuality Education, Institute of Health Research, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand

*R. Thato: e-mail: ratsiri99@gmail.com

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 8 MAY 2008
  2. Article first published online: 8 MAY 2008
  3. Accepted for publication 7 January 2008

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Keywords:

  • abstinence;
  • cognitive social learning theory;
  • comprehensive sex education;
  • culture;
  • premarital sex;
  • programme evaluation;
  • school nurses;
  • sexual intercourse

Abstract

Title. Effects of the culturally-sensitive comprehensive sex education programme among Thai secondary school students.

Aim.  This paper reports on a study to evaluate the effectiveness of a culturally-sensitive comprehensive sex education programme among Thai secondary school students.

Background.  Increasing number of adolescents in Thailand have been engaging in premarital sex. No theory-based, abstinence-oriented models of sex education have been evaluated in this population.

Method.  A quasi-experimental study was conducted in 2006–2007. Outcome measures included sexual behaviour, condom use, intention to refuse sex, intention to use condoms, and knowledge regarding sexually transmitted infections/human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and pregnancy.

Findings.  Students in the experimental group had lower levels of reported sexual intercourse at 3- and 6-month follow-ups, compared with those in control group (P < 0·01). Students participating in the programme had significantly greater intention to refuse sex in the future across time than controls (P < 0·05). Sexually active adolescents participating in the programme reported significantly lower frequencies of sexual intercourse across time than controls (P < 0·01). However, the programme did not influence consistent condom use (P > 0·05), although the intervention was associated with increased intention to use condoms (P < 0·01). Knowledge about sexually transmitted infections/human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and pregnancy among students in the intervention group was significantly greater than that of the controls (P < 0·05).

Conclusion.  School nurses can play a major role by applying this kind of sex education programme. For nurse researchers, it would be useful to extend this research by considering alternative ways to foster condom use in the non-commercial partnerships that have become common among adolescents.

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