Examining the effect of sexual education given to parents of children aged 3-6 on their knowledge levels

The aim of the study was to examine the effect of sexual education given to parents of children aged 3-6 on the parents' level of knowledge about the child's sexual development and education. The research sample consisted of 104 mothers and 14 fathers with children aged 3-6, who were continuing their education at the school where the application was carried out, located in Hopa district of Artvin province. Research data was collected through the "Preschool Sexual Education Survey" and "Demographic Data Form" prepared by the researcher. After the first survey was administered, the research was conducted by providing sexual education to the parents and then repeating the survey. The answers given by a single group in the pretest and posttest were analyzed. The analysis of the research was done with the SPSS-25 program. In analyzing the research data, tables of frequency and percentage values of the participants' demographic characteristics and sexual education information, dependent groups t-test was used to determine the change in the parents' knowledge levels, and mixed designs ANOVA analysis was used to measure the group*time effect of different variables on the relevant changes. As a result of the research, it was seen that the post-test measurement scores of parents with a high level of education were significantly higher than those of parents with a low level of education. It was determined that the pre-test measurement scores of parents who had previously received sexual education were significantly higher than those of parents who had not received sexual education. It was determined that the pre-test measurement scores of parents who had resources regarding sexual education were significantly higher compared to those who did not. In the study, when the answers given by the parents to the survey questions before and after the training were examined, the desired results were obtained at different rates for each survey question, and an increase in the knowledge level of the parents on the subject was observed with the child sexual development and education program applied to the parents.