Peer-reviewed article
Empowering mothers to educate daughters: a quasi-experimental study on adolescent girls' sexual health.
Peyghan A, Khayat S, Khazaeian S ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view ·Key points
Limitations
Abstract
Objective Adolescence is a sensitive stage for healthy decision-making, yet many mothers lack adequate knowledge and skills to guide their daughters' sexual health. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a mother-empowerment sexual education program in Zahedan, Iran. Methods A quasi-experimental study was conducted in Zahedan, Iran, from May to December 2024 with 144 mothers of girls aged 11-14 years from eight health centers, randomly assigned to intervention or control groups. Mothers completed demographic questionnaires and awareness, self-efficacy, and responsiveness scales. Assessments were at baseline, one, and 12 weeks post-intervention. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square, independent t-tests, and repeated measures ANOVA. Results Mean maternal age was 35 ± 4.1 years, and daughters 12.7 ± 1.1 years. No significant baseline differences were found. After the intervention, mothers in the intervention group showed significant gains in awareness (F = 84.2, p < 0.01, η2 = 0.4), responsiveness (F = 77.0, p < 0.01, η2 = 0.1), and self-efficacy (F = 24.7, p < 0.01, η2 = 0.1). No meaningful changes occurred in the control group. Conclusion Structured sexual education improved maternal awareness, responsiveness, and self-efficacy; culturally sensitive programs in schools and health services may strengthen parental roles.