Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Sexual Health Responsibility Education Given to Gypsy Adolescents by University Students Using the Peer Education Method

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of sexual health responsibility education given to gypsy adolescents by university students using the peer education method. Method: The study has a quasi-experimental non-randomized single group pretest-posttest design. The sample of the study, which was carried out at a university in a city in the Black Sea region and in the Gypsy neighborhood of the same city, consisted of a total of 283 adolescents, including 176 university students and 59 Gypsy adolescents who were trained by 48 volunteer peer educators. The data were collected with the information form and the Sexual Health Knowledge Level Determination Form. The data were evaluated using descriptive statistics and McNemar Worker test in the SPSS 21.0 program. Results: It was found that after peer education, there was a significant increase in the level of knowledge about talking about sexual health in adolescents, female and male reproductive organs and physiology, paying attention to reproductive health, the purpose and methods of family planning, the effects of early marriage and adolescent pregnancy on health, sexual health-related values, ways of transmission of Sexually Transmitted Diseases and ways of protection. Conclusion: It was found that sexual health responsibility education given to Gypsy adolescents by university students through peer education method increased the sexual health knowledge of Gypsy adolescents. Adolescents should be prepared for adulthood by gaining sexual health responsibility through the promotion of peer education programs.