Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Sexual and Reproductive Health Education Given to University Students: A Randomized Controlled Trial

ObjectivesYoung people in the university period, known as the transition phase from adolescence to adulthood, are at serious risk in terms of risky sexual behaviors (first sexual intercourse, use of contraceptives, sexually transmitted infections, unwanted pregnancy, maternal mortality, sexual violence). The fact that young people actively use social media and have not received adequate sexual and reproductive health education until the university period is an indication that they are a risky group in terms of sexual and reproductive health when they enter university. It is difficult to access accurate, complete and effective information through digital means, both on social media and other platforms. This study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of sexual and reproductive health education methods given to university students. MethodA randomized controlled study was conducted with 165 students at a state university in Istanbul between May and July 2022. In the implementation phase of the study, the students were divided into three different groups: 55 students received QR code-supported face-to-face training (intervention group 1), 55 students received face-to-face training (intervention group 2), and 55 students received on-line training (control group). ResultsThe mean age of the students was 21.6 +/- 1.87 and 66.7% of them were female. When the effect of education in the groups was examined, it was determined that there was a significant difference between the pretest and post-test of the sexual health knowledge test, QR code supported face-to-face, on-line and face-to-face groups. The level of participation in the statements related to education also differed significantly according to the groups (p < .05). ConclusionsThe post-test mean of the Sexual Health Knowledge test was significantly higher than the pretest mean. There was no significant difference in the pre-training and post-training means of the Reproductive Health Scale. The level of participation of the QR code-supported face-to-face group and the face-to-face group to the statements related to education is significantly higher than the on-line group. In our study, it was concluded that students were more interactive and more comfortable in the face-to-face education model.