Determining the effectiveness of sexual health and development education for children with intellectual disability

The aim of this randomized controlled research is to determine the effectiveness of the "Sexual Health and Development Education Program for Children with Intellectual Disability" in children with mild and moderate intellectual disability. The research was carried out in three special education and rehabilitation centers in Zonguldak. The sample of the study consisted of 48 children (intervention group= 24, control group= 24) with intellectual disability between the ages of 12-18. The data were collected with the "Personal Information Form", "Sexual Development Characteristics Scale for Children with Intellectual Disability in Adolescence" and "Sexual Development Information Evaluation Scale for Children with Intellectual Disabilities" in three stages as pre-test, post-test and permanence test between September 2021 and February 2022. An eight-week Sexual Health and Development Education Program for Children with Intellectual Disability was applied to the intervention group, based on the "Complete Learning Model". After the education program given to children with intellectual disability, the mean score of "Scale of Sexual Development of Children with Intellectual Disability in Adolescence" was lower in the intervention group compared to the control group (p<0.05). After the education program given to children with intellectual disability, the mean score of "Sexual Development Information Evaluation Scale for Children with Intellectual Disability" was higher in the intervention group than in the control group (p<0.05). As a result, the education program was effective in increasing the knowledge level of children with intellectual disability about sexual health and development, and their mothers' awareness on this issue. It is suggested that sexual development and health topics to be given in cooperation with nurses should be added to the education curriculum of children with intellectual disabilities. Randomized controlled trial number: NCT04635969