The influence of peer educators in a reproductive health program for the prevention of child marriage at SMA Negeri 13 Makassar

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the impact of a peer educator program focused on reproductive health for the prevention of child marriage at SMA Negeri 13 Makassar. A quasi-experimental pretest-posttest design with a control group was employed. The sample consisted of 70 respondents—divided into an intervention group (n=35) and a control group (n=35)—selected using purposive sampling. Data were collected via questionnaires covering information, knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, and child marriage prevention. Data analysis involved the Paired Sample t-test to compare pretest and posttest scores, and the Mann–Whitney U test to compare gain scores between the two groups. The results indicated changes in scores before and after the intervention according to the Paired Sample t-test. However, the Mann–Whitney U test revealed no significant difference in the improvement (gain score) between the intervention and control groups regarding information (p=0.166), knowledge (p=0.075), attitudes (p=0.265), behaviors (p=0.552), and child marriage prevention (p=0.591). Conclusion: While the peer educator program resulted in score changes before and after the intervention, there was no significant difference in the magnitude of improvement between the intervention and control groups.