Improving Knowledge of Reproductive Health and Preventing Risky Sexual Behavior as an Effort to Prevent Cervical Cancer Among Senior High School Students
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Cervical cancer remains a major public health problem in Indonesia, largely due to limited reproductive health literacy, inadequate awareness of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection, and insufficient preventive behaviors among adolescents. School-based reproductive health education is considered an important strategy for improving knowledge and promoting healthy behaviors before adulthood. This community service program aimed to improve students' knowledge of reproductive health, prevention of risky sexual behavior, and cervical cancer prevention through interactive health education and participatory turmeric antiseptic soap-making activities. The program was conducted on 16–17 April 2026 at SMA Negeri 1 Tawangsari Sukoharjo, involving 133 senior high school students. The intervention adopted a participatory community empowerment approach consisting of interactive lectures, group discussions, demonstrations, and hands-on production of turmeric antiseptic soap. Program effectiveness was evaluated using pre-test and post-test questionnaires. Descriptive statistics and paired-samples t-test were used to analyze changes in participants' knowledge. Participants' mean knowledge scores increased from 67.15 ± 19.34 before the intervention to 85.60 ± 18.22 after the intervention. The proportion of participants with good knowledge increased from 44.4% to 78.9%, while the poor knowledge category decreased from 18.8% to 8.3%. Paired-samples t-test analysis demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in knowledge following the intervention (t = −7.004; p < 0.001). Integrating reproductive health education with participatory practical activities effectively improved adolescents' knowledge regarding reproductive health and cervical cancer prevention. This educational model has the potential to be implemented sustainably through school health programs and replicated in other secondary schools to strengthen adolescent reproductive health promotion.
Institution: Sekolah Tinggi Ilmu Kesehatan Nasional
Language: English
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W7225625983
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