Peer-reviewed article
Effect of a web-based intervention on family sex education for preschool children's parents: a cluster randomized trial.
Chen Z, Zhang R, Wang Y, Li Y, Liao Y et al. ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001A study in China tested whether an online sex education program for parents of preschool children improved their knowledge, attitudes, and practices around this topic. Parents at four kindergartens were randomly assigned to receive either a 6-month WeChat-based program based on behavior change theory or standard health education. The online program significantly improved parents' knowledge, attitudes, and practices across all measures compared to the control group.
Key points
- 217 parents participated in a cluster-randomized trial across four kindergartens in Luzhou City
- The intervention group showed significantly higher scores on all knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) dimensions after 6 months (p < 0.05)
- The consistency between parents' knowledge, attitudes, and practices increased significantly in the intervention group (p = 0.001)
- Parents in the intervention group significantly preferred online learning channels compared to the control group
- The intervention was grounded in the Theory of Planned Behavior and delivered via WeChat
Limitations
The study does not report which specific countries' standards or contexts were used for comparison, and the follow-up period was limited to 6 months, so long-term effects on children's sexual health outcomes are unknown.
Abstract
Background Early childhood represents a critical period for sex education and family-based education is essential to this process. However, many parents lack the knowledge and skills to deliver effective sex education, which significantly hinders implementation and effectiveness for this age group. Methods In a cluster-randomized trial conducted in 2022, parents of preschool children from four kindergartens in Luzhou City were assigned by class to receive either a 6-month online sex education program grounded in the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) via WeChat or conventional health education. Parental knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) were assessed at baseline and post-intervention. Intervention effects were evaluated using Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) and Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) to account for baseline covariates and potential cluster effects. Results A total of 217 parents were enrolled in the study. Post-intervention, the intervention group demonstrated significantly higher scores and improved pass and good rates across all KAP (knowledge, attitudes, and practices) dimensions compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Notably, the KAP consistency rate and parental preference for online learning channels also increased significantly in the intervention group (p = 0.001). Conclusion The TPB-based online intervention effectively enhances parental competencies in early childhood sex education. This digital model provides a scalable and accessible strategy for health promotion, with significant implications for narrowing the implementation gap in family-based sex education and supporting children's long-term sexual health.
Findings the Hub has extracted
Each claim below is labelled by its type of design and links back to this report.
- Intervention
- A 6-month online sex education program delivered via WeChat, grounded in the Theory of Planned Behavior, designed to improve parental knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding early childhood sex education
- Population
- Parents of preschool children from four kindergartens in Luzhou City, China (n=217)
Key finding
Intervention group demonstrated significantly higher scores across all knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) dimensions (p < 0.05)
Z et al. · Europe PMC · 13 Apr 2026