Utilizing Local Language Pop-Up Books for Health Literacy in Preventing Child Sexual Abuse in Sidrap Regency
Suriah(a*), Nasrah (a), Arif Anwar (b)

a) Department of Health Promotion and Behavior Sciences, Faculty of Public Health, Hasanuddin University
*suriah_74[at]yahoo.com
b) Department of Biostatistics, Faculty of Public Health, Hasanuddin University

Abstract

Abstract
Health literacy in preventing child sexual abuse is of paramount importance in safeguarding future generations. It is unfortunate that sexual abuse in children is often perpetrated by those closest to them. Therefore, an effective approach and appropriate media are necessary to prevent children from experiencing abuse by raising their awareness of potential dangers within their immediate environment. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of health literacy using local language pop-up book media in preventing sexual abuse in children.
This research constitutes an intervention study utilizing a quasi-experimental approach with The Non-equivalent Control Group design. The study population comprises elementary school students in Sidrap District. A total of 100 participants were selected and divided equally into the intervention and control groups, with each group consisting of 50 individuals. The sample was determined using purposive sampling technique. Data analysis was performed using the Mann-Whitney and Wilcoxon tests. The intervention group received health literacy through the utilization of pop-up book media, while the control group was provided with storybooks as their medium. The media content focused on health literacy to prevent sexual harassment, using the local language. The assessed variables included knowledge, self-awareness, and self-skills.
The results revealed significant increases in knowledge scores before and after the treatment in the intervention group, from 7.34 to 9.58 (p<0.001), and in the control group, from 7.56 to 10.74 (p<0.001). Similarly, self-awareness scores in the intervention group demonstrated a significant improvement from 7.62 to 9.76 (p<0.001), and in the control group, from 7.7 to 9.16 (p<0.001). As for self-skills, there was a notable increase in scores before and after treatment in the intervention group, from 5.82 to 6.78 (p=0.002), and in the control group, from 6.66 to 7.32 (p=0.002). It is recommended to use local language media in an effort to prevent sexual harassment in school children which can be packaged in the form of pop-up books or story books.

Keywords: Health literacy- Child sexual abuse prevention- Pop-up books, Local language media

Topic: Health promotion and education