The development of guidelines for promoting life skills and preventing sexual risk behaviors among adolescents through community participation in the area of Khon San District, Chaiyaphum Province

Abstract

This study aimed to examine sexual risk behaviors and develop a life skills promotion approach to prevent such behaviors among adolescents in Khon San district, Chaiyaphum province. The conceptual framework was based on the World Health Organization's life skills model and Erikson’s psychosocial development theory, guiding the participatory process design in collaboration with community participation. The study employed an action research approach involving adolescents, parents, teachers, community leaders, public health officers, and local administrative organizations. The research instruments included interviews, focus group discussions, a sexual risk behavior questionnaire, and assessments of knowledge, attitudes, and life skills. The content validity was verified by experts, while reliability was tested using Cronbach’s alpha for the sexual risk behavior, attitude, and life skills questionnaires, and KR-20 for the knowledge assessment. The reliability coefficients were 0.79, 0.82, 0.81, and 0.88, respectively. Data were collected between January and June 2025. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, paired sample t-test, and content analysis.

The findings revealed that adolescents engaged in sexual risk behaviors, including early sexual initiation, lack of knowledge and skills in preventing sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and significant influence from peers and social media. Meanwhile, families and communities lacked targeted activities that addressed adolescents’ specific needs. An  8-week life skills promotion program was implemented, covering the 10 core life skills, with an emphasis on hands-on learning, community participation, and culturally appropriate activities.The quantitative results showed statistically significant improvements in adolescents' knowledge, attitudes, and life skills after the intervention (p < 0.001).The qualitative findings indicated enhanced communication, decision-making, assertiveness, and awareness of sexual risks among adolescents.Additionally, community networks demonstrated increased awareness and readiness to sustain youth-focused activities.