Influence of Independent Variables on Knowledge, Attitude and Practices of the Parents towards Imparting Sexual Health Education

A study was conducted to assess the influence of independent variables on knowledge, attitude and practices of fathers and mothers towards imparting sexual health education. A self-structured tool developed and standardized by the investigator was used to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices of parents of mild intellectually challenged children. Special schools catering to the educational needs of the mild intellectually challenged children in Bangalore city were selected by using purposive sampling method. A total sample of 359, consisting of 184 fathers and 175 mothers of mild intellectually challenged children aged between 09–17 years were selected for the present study. They were further subdivided into experimental group and control group [experimental group comprising of 174 and control group comprising of 185]. Ninety three subjects (93) were identified for the intervention programme from experimental group, out of which 45 fathers and 48 mothers of mild intellectually challenged children respectively. Data was analysed using appropriate statistical tests. Study revealed that the independent variables had an influence on knowledge, attitude and practice in both fathers and mothers of mild intellectually challenged children of control group. Further, independent variables did not influence the knowledge, attitude and practice of sexual health education in both fathers and mothers of mild intellectually challenged children of experimental group, which could be attributed to the influence of the intervention programme. Thus the study highlights the need for sensitizing the parents on the need for sexual health education for mild intellectually challenged children in order to make them self-reliant and develop a social identity.