EFFECTS OF THE STRENGTHENING HEALTH LITERACY IN PREVENTING TEENAGE PREGNANCY MODEL IN SISAKET PROVINCE

Abstract

This quasi-experimental research aimed to examine the effects of a health literacy enhancement program for the prevention of teenage pregnancy in Sisaket Province. The sample was purposively selected and consisted of Grade 6 and Grades 7–8 students from municipal schools. One municipal school located in the Mueang Sisaket District was assigned as the experimental group, while another municipal school located in a different district was assigned as the control group. The sample size was calculated using a statistical software program, resulting in 40 participants per group. The research instrument was a health literacy enhancement program for the prevention of teenage pregnancy in Sisaket Province. The intervention lasted for 12 weeks, from June to August 2025., and a structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using frequency distribution, percentage, mean, standard deviation, minimum, maximum, and independent t-test at a significance level of p < 0.05. The results revealed that after the intervention, the experimental group had higher mean scores in health literacy for the prevention of adolescent pregnancy across all components: 1) Health knowledge and understanding for preventing adolescent pregnancy was at a high level (  = 6.88, SD = 0.95, p=0.008).  2) Access to health information and services for preventing adolescent pregnancy was at a high level (  = 19.53, SD = 2.98, p=0.022). 3) Communication to enhance competence in preventing adolescent pregnancy was at a moderate level (  = 17.84, SD = 3.34, p=0.022). 4) Self-management of health conditions to prevent adolescent pregnancy was at a moderate level  (  = 16.51, SD = 3.48, p=0.016). 5) Media and information literacy for preventing adolescent pregnancy was at a high level (  = 20.15, SD = 5.77, p=0.022). 6) Decision-making skills for selecting appropriate practices to prevent adolescent pregnancy was at a moderate level (  = 14.58, SD = 5.39, p=0.043). Additionally, the preventive behaviors against adolescent pregnancy among female adolescents were at a high level (  = 58.69, SD = 8.85, p=0.008). These mean scores were significantly higher than those of the control group (p-value< 0.05). Therefore, designing integrated and continuous activities based on the theory of health literacy components appropriate for female adolescents can effectively improve their knowledge and preventive behaviors toward early pregnancy.