The effect of an educational program on knowledge about sexual abuse prevention among child laborers: a quasi-experimental study
Abstract Background Child laborers are a vulnerable group at heightened risk for sexual abuse. However, their specific needs are often overlooked in traditional educational programs, primarily due to socio-economic barriers and school non-attendance, which prevent these children from accessing the n...
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2025-07-01
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-23447-z |
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| author | Jamalodin Begjani Niloofar Najafali Dizaji Jila Mirlashari Lotfollah Mohseni Mohammad Mehdi Rajabi |
| author_facet | Jamalodin Begjani Niloofar Najafali Dizaji Jila Mirlashari Lotfollah Mohseni Mohammad Mehdi Rajabi |
| author_sort | Jamalodin Begjani |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Child laborers are a vulnerable group at heightened risk for sexual abuse. However, their specific needs are often overlooked in traditional educational programs, primarily due to socio-economic barriers and school non-attendance, which prevent these children from accessing the necessary resources and information to protect themselves from social risks, such as sexual abuse. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of an educational intervention designed to enhance knowledge about sexual abuse prevention among child laborers. Methods This quasi-experimental study was conducted on child laborers at two support centers in Tehran, Iran. Participants were non-randomly assigned to either the intervention (n = 30) or control (n = 30) group based on their respective support centers. The intervention group received a four-session educational program covering topics such as recognizing inappropriate behaviors, identifying potential abusers, and learning how to protect themselves and seek help. The control group received no intervention. Data were collected using a demographic form and a self-developed Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Knowledge Questionnaire. The questionnaire’s content and face validity were confirmed and its internal consistency was supported by a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.89. Assessments were conducted at baseline, immediately after the intervention, and three months later. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 24, employing independent t-tests, chi-square, and the repeated measures ANOVA. A significance level of P < 0.05 was considered. Results Prior to the intervention, there were no significant differences in knowledge between the intervention and control groups (P = 0.30). Repeated measures ANOVA revealed a significant main effect of time (P < 0.001), indicating that knowledge scores changed significantly across the time points. A significant main effect of group was observed (P = 0.002), with the intervention group consistently showing higher knowledge scores. Additionally, the interaction effect between time and group was significant (P < 0.001), indicating that the knowledge change over time differed significantly between the two groups. Conclusion The educational program significantly enhanced knowledge about sexual abuse prevention among child laborers, with sustained improvements observed at the three-month follow-up. This intervention provides a promising model for empowering vulnerable children with the knowledge needed to protect themselves. Future research should explore the program’s long-term outcomes, its impact on behavioral change, and assess its potential for integration into child protection policies and broader educational frameworks. Clinical trial number Not applicable. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-4b7ec6ff2fc047b4ab78d3cd3e4d8a7e |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 1471-2458 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Public Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-4b7ec6ff2fc047b4ab78d3cd3e4d8a7e2025-08-20T03:04:17ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582025-07-012511910.1186/s12889-025-23447-zThe effect of an educational program on knowledge about sexual abuse prevention among child laborers: a quasi-experimental studyJamalodin Begjani0Niloofar Najafali Dizaji1Jila Mirlashari2Lotfollah Mohseni3Mohammad Mehdi Rajabi4Department of Pediatric Nursing and Neonatal Intensive Care, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Tehran University of Medical SciencesDepartment of Pediatric Nursing and Neonatal Intensive Care, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Tehran University of Medical SciencesCollege of Nursing, Seattle UniversityAssociation for the Support of Child LaborersDepartment of Pediatric Nursing and Neonatal Intensive Care, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Tehran University of Medical SciencesAbstract Background Child laborers are a vulnerable group at heightened risk for sexual abuse. However, their specific needs are often overlooked in traditional educational programs, primarily due to socio-economic barriers and school non-attendance, which prevent these children from accessing the necessary resources and information to protect themselves from social risks, such as sexual abuse. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of an educational intervention designed to enhance knowledge about sexual abuse prevention among child laborers. Methods This quasi-experimental study was conducted on child laborers at two support centers in Tehran, Iran. Participants were non-randomly assigned to either the intervention (n = 30) or control (n = 30) group based on their respective support centers. The intervention group received a four-session educational program covering topics such as recognizing inappropriate behaviors, identifying potential abusers, and learning how to protect themselves and seek help. The control group received no intervention. Data were collected using a demographic form and a self-developed Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Knowledge Questionnaire. The questionnaire’s content and face validity were confirmed and its internal consistency was supported by a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.89. Assessments were conducted at baseline, immediately after the intervention, and three months later. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 24, employing independent t-tests, chi-square, and the repeated measures ANOVA. A significance level of P < 0.05 was considered. Results Prior to the intervention, there were no significant differences in knowledge between the intervention and control groups (P = 0.30). Repeated measures ANOVA revealed a significant main effect of time (P < 0.001), indicating that knowledge scores changed significantly across the time points. A significant main effect of group was observed (P = 0.002), with the intervention group consistently showing higher knowledge scores. Additionally, the interaction effect between time and group was significant (P < 0.001), indicating that the knowledge change over time differed significantly between the two groups. Conclusion The educational program significantly enhanced knowledge about sexual abuse prevention among child laborers, with sustained improvements observed at the three-month follow-up. This intervention provides a promising model for empowering vulnerable children with the knowledge needed to protect themselves. Future research should explore the program’s long-term outcomes, its impact on behavioral change, and assess its potential for integration into child protection policies and broader educational frameworks. Clinical trial number Not applicable.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-23447-zChild laborSexual abuseHealth educationVulnerable childrenPediatric nursing |
| spellingShingle | Jamalodin Begjani Niloofar Najafali Dizaji Jila Mirlashari Lotfollah Mohseni Mohammad Mehdi Rajabi The effect of an educational program on knowledge about sexual abuse prevention among child laborers: a quasi-experimental study BMC Public Health Child labor Sexual abuse Health education Vulnerable children Pediatric nursing |
| title | The effect of an educational program on knowledge about sexual abuse prevention among child laborers: a quasi-experimental study |
| title_full | The effect of an educational program on knowledge about sexual abuse prevention among child laborers: a quasi-experimental study |
| title_fullStr | The effect of an educational program on knowledge about sexual abuse prevention among child laborers: a quasi-experimental study |
| title_full_unstemmed | The effect of an educational program on knowledge about sexual abuse prevention among child laborers: a quasi-experimental study |
| title_short | The effect of an educational program on knowledge about sexual abuse prevention among child laborers: a quasi-experimental study |
| title_sort | effect of an educational program on knowledge about sexual abuse prevention among child laborers a quasi experimental study |
| topic | Child labor Sexual abuse Health education Vulnerable children Pediatric nursing |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-23447-z |
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