A PRE-EXPERIMENTAL STUDY TO ASSESS THE EFFECT OF SELF-INSTRUCTIONAL MODULE ON KNOWLEDGE REGARDING PREVENTIVE MEASURES OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE AMONG PARENTS AT SELECTED SCHOOLS IN BHOPAL, M.P.

Abstract

The global population of children is projected to remain stable at approximately 1.9 billion by 2050, accounting for 20% of the world's population. However, amidst this demographic trend, the alarming prevalence of child sexual abuse persists, with statistics indicating that 1 in 5 girls and 1 in 20 boys fall victim to such abuse. Moreover, research reveals that a staggering 16% of young individuals aged 14 to 17 experience sexual victimization annually, while 28% encounter such abuse in their lifetime. In light of these concerning statistics, this study aims to assess the effectiveness of a self-instructional module in enhancing parents' knowledge of preventive measures against child sexual abuse. The research objectives include evaluating pre- and post-interventional knowledge scores among parents, examining significant differences between pre- and post-interventional measures, and exploring associations between pre-interventional knowledge and demographic variables. The study adopts the Public Health Model as its theoretical framework and employs a pre-experimental research approach among 60 parents in Bhopal, M.P., utilizing a structured questionnaire for data collection. Major findings indicate a significant improvement in parents' knowledge following the intervention, with implications for nursing practice, education, administration, and research. Recommendations include disseminating findings to relevant stakeholders and conducting similar studies across diverse populations to address the pressing issue of child sexual abuse effectively. Despite limitations, the study underscores the importance of educational interventions in mitigating this pervasive issue and emphasizes the role of parents in safeguarding children's well-being and safety.