A Study to Evaluate the Effectiveness of Structured Teaching Programme on Sexual Abuse and its Preventive and Protective Measures among Adolescents in Selected PU Colleges of Kundapur Taluk, Udupi District

Abstract

Sexual abuse is common among all the age groups, cultures and socio economic strata of the society. It occurs at home, school, work places and other public places by family members, neighbours, teachers, supervisors, school mates and on occasions by strangers. Sexual abuse occurs throughout the world. Although in most countries there has been little research conducted on the problem, available data suggests that in some countries merely one in four women may have experienced sexual violence by intimate partner. Sexual abuse has a profound impact on physical and mental health. Along with causing physical injury, it is associated with an increased risk and range of sexual and reproductive health problems with both immediate and long term consequences. Its impact on mental health can be serious and long lasting. Death following sexual abuse may be as a result of suicide, murder. The aim of the present study was to asses knowledge and provide structured teaching programme regarding sexual abuse and its prevention for adolescents. Evaluative approach, preexperimental one group-pre-test and post-test design was used. Data was collected among 80 adolescents selected from Ashrith PU University and Viveka PU College of Kota, Udupi district using non-probability purposive convenient sampling technique. During pre-test, self-administered knowledge questionnaire was given to adolescents and knowledge was assessed following which structured teaching programme was carried out by the researcher. The post-test knowledge was further assessed using self-administered knowledge questionnaire. The study results showed that majority of the participants 55 (68.75%) were in the age group of 15-16 years, maximum participants 60 (75%) were females and 20 (25%) were males. The mean knowledge score of participants before pre- test was 12.1, while after post-test it was 19.6. Independent t test value was t =0.43. There was a statistically significant association between gender (χ2 =44.9, p>0.052) and sociodemographic variable.