A comprehensive sexuality education attempt with Turkish university students: Examining changes and challenges in knowledge, attitudes and myths about sexuality

Abstract

This study examined the effectiveness of a six-week sexuality education program in enhancing university students’ sexual knowledge, reducing belief in sexual myths, and improving sexual attitudes. In this quasi-experimental, single-blind, pre-test–post-test control group design research, participants were assigned to either the experimental or control group, and data were collected before and after the intervention. The training was developed based on evidence-based principles of Comprehensive Sexuality Education and delivered in an online, interactive format. Findings indicated no statistically significant differences between or within groups on any of the outcome variables. Despite the program’s alignment with established educational frameworks, the lack of significant effects suggests that additional contextual factors—such as participant engagement, cultural relevance, and mode of delivery—may have influenced the results. These findings point to the complex nature of sexuality education implementation and highlight the need for sustainable, participatory, and culturally sensitive approaches. Future research is recommended to refine assessment tools, increase sample size, and explore mixed-methods designs to capture nuanced outcomes better.

Keywords

• sexuality education
• university students
• sexual myths
• sexual attitudes
• sexual knowledge

Bir Cinsel Eğitim Girişimi: Türk Üniversite Öğrencilerinin Cinsellik Bilgisi, Tutumları ve Mitleri Üzerindeki Değişimlerin ve Zorlukların İncelenmesi

Abstract

Bu çalışma, üniversite öğrencilerine yönelik altı haftalık bir cinsellik farkındalığı temelli eğitimin, öğrencilerin cinsellik bilgisi, cinsel mitlere inanma düzeyleri ve cinselliğe yönelik tutumları üzerindeki etkisini incelemektedir. Yarı deneysel, tek kör, ön test-son test kontrol gruplu desenle yürütülen araştırmada, katılımcılar deney ve kontrol gruplarına ayrılmış; veriler nicel ölçme araçlarıyla toplanmıştır. Eğitim programı, Kanıta Dayalı Kapsamlı Cinsellik Eğitimi (KCE) ilkelerine dayanarak geliştirilmiş ve çevrim içi ortamda uzmanlar tarafından yürütülmüştür. Analizler, deney ve kontrol grupları arasında ya da deney grubu içinde anlamlı bir değişim olmadığını göstermektedir. Programın yerleşik eğitim çerçeveleriyle uyumlu olmasına rağmen, katılımın gönüllülük esasına dayanması, düşük devam oranı, çevrim içi etkileşim kısıtlılığı ve örneklem büyüklüğünün sınırlı oluşu gibi etkenler, programın etkisini sınırlamış olabilir. Bulgular, cinsellik eğitimi programlarının yalnızca içeriksel doğruluğuyla değil, aynı zamanda katılımcıların kültürel bağlamı, etkileşim düzeyi ve uygulama biçimiyle de desteklenmesi gerektiğini ortaya koymaktadır. Çalışma, üniversite ortamında sürdürülebilir, etkileşimli ve bağlamsal olarak duyarlı cinsellik eğitimlerine duyulan ihtiyacı vurgulamakta; gelecekteki araştırmalar için değerlendirme araçlarını iyileştirmesi, örneklem büyüklüğünü artırması ve nüanslı sonuçları daha iyi yakalamak için karma yöntem tasarımlarını keşfetmesi önerilmektedir.

Keywords

• cinsellik eğitimi
• üniversite öğrencileri
• cinsel mitler
• cinsellik bilgisi
• cinselliğe yönelik tutumlar

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