Effectiveness of an educational program on reproductive health knowledge among secondary school female students in Al-Kut city / Iraq

Abstract

Background: Reproductive health is characterized as a condition of comprehensive physical, mental, and social well-being concerning all facets of the reproductive system and its functions, surpassing the mere absence of illness or impairment This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of an educational program onknowledge related to reproductive health among secondary school female students in Al-Kut City.

Methods: A quasi-experimental study employing a pre-test–post-test control group design was conducted in governmental female secondary schools in Al-Kut City, Iraq, between November 2025 and April 2026. A purposive sample of 200 female students was recruited and equally assigned into two groups: an intervention group (n = 100) and a control group (n = 100). Female students from the fourth and fifth secondary grade levels were included in the study. The required sample size was calculated using G*Power software, version 3.1.9.7.

Data were collected using a structured self-administered questionnaire consisting of two parts: sociodemographic characteristics of the students and their parents, and questions assessing knowledge related to reproductive health. Data analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), version 26.0. Both descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were applied, and a p-value of ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: The findings showed a highly significant improvement in knowledge related to reproductive health among female secondary school students in the study group following the educational program. Themean knowledge score increased markedly from 13.14 ± 2.72 at pre-test to 19.66 ± 0.78 at post-test (p <0.001).The study group demonstrated a significant difference in knowledge level, reaching "Good" scores for the majority of item in the post-test,specially related to the definition of STDs; mode of transmission and regarding syphilis and genital herpes as STDs. Furthermore,the study group showed substantial improvement in their knowledge of premarital screening, with most post-test scores reaching a "Good" level.

Conclusion: The educational program demonstrated a significant improvement in students’ knowledge among the study group compared with the control group, particularly in relation to sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and premarital screening. Moreover, statistically significant relationships were found between post-test knowledge scores and students’ academic grade, number of family members, and father’s educational level.

Recommendations: Implementation of similar school-based educational programs, supported by informative brochures and posters, is recommended to improve adolescents’ knowledge and promote positive reproductive health outcomes. Continuous health education initiatives within schools may further strengthen awareness and healthy practices among secondary school students.