The Effect of WhatsApp-Based and Conventional Education Methods on Sexual Myths and Sexual Health Knowledge: A Comparative Intervention Study in Midwifery Students


GÖNENÇ İ. M., Alan Dikmen H., Golbasi Z.

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SEXUAL HEALTH, vol.33, no.3, pp.326-341, 2021 (SSCI) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 33 Issue: 3
  • Publication Date: 2021
  • Doi Number: 10.1080/19317611.2021.1913688
  • Journal Name: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SEXUAL HEALTH
  • Journal Indexes: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, IBZ Online, CAB Abstracts, CINAHL, PAIS International, Psycinfo, Public Affairs Index
  • Page Numbers: pp.326-341
  • Keywords: Sexual education, sexual health, sexual myths, WhatsApp-based, PROGRAM, ACCESS, RISKS, MEDIA, MEN
  • Ankara University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the effects of sexual education provided via WhatsApp on the level of sexual knowledge and sexual myths in midwifery students in Turkey. Methods: Students were randomly divided into WhatsApp education, conventional education, and control groups. Data were collected using a Questionnaire Form, the Sexual Health Knowledge Test, and the Sexual Myth Scale. Results: Post-education and one-month-follow-up the Sexual Health Knowledge Test medians in the control group (24.0 and 27.0 respectively) were significantly lower than those of the WhatsApp (31.0 and 32.5 respectively) and conventional education groups (30.5 and 32.0 respectively) and Sexual Myth Scale medians in the control group (70.0 and 67.0 respectively) were significantly higher than those of the WhatsApp (55.5 and 60.0) and conventional education groups (53.0 and 55.0, respectively) (p < .001). There was no difference between WhatsApp and conventional education groups in terms of the Sexual Health Knowledge Test and Sexual Myth Scale scores (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Sexual education provided by conventional methods and via WhatsApp increased sexual health knowledge and decreased sexual myths.