Effects of a Structured Family Planning Program on Knowledge About Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention in Cusco: A Quasi-Experimental Controlled Study
Efectos de programa estructurado de planificación familiar en conocimiento sobre prevención del embarazo adolescente en Cusco: estudio cuasi-experimental con controlMain Article Content
Introduction: Adolescent pregnancy is a public health challenge in Latin America, with high prevalence rates in Andean regions where cultural barriers limit reproductive agency. Objective: To determine the differential effect of a structured family planning program on knowledge of adolescent pregnancy prevention, mediated by psychological empowerment and moderated by future projections, among secondary school students in public educational institutions in Cusco, during the period 2024-2025. Methodology: A quasi-experimental study with a non-equivalent control group and pre- and post-test measurements was conducted with a sample of 260 students aged 11 to 17 years (130 intervention, 130 control). The intervention consisted of eight 60-90 minute sessions based on Intervention Mapping. Propensity score matching, bootstrap mediation (5,000 samples), and hierarchical regression moderation were used. Results: The intervention resulted in a significant gain in contraceptive knowledge (d=0.85, β2p=0.07, p<.001). Psychological empowerment accounted for 33% of the total effect (β=0.15, 95% CI BCa: [0.08, 0.22]). Future projection acted as a moderator of the effect (β=0.18, p=.003, ΔR²=0.04). Females showed greater gains (d=1.02) than males (d=0.68). The results remained robust across seven analytical specifications. Conclusions: Sexual education programs that incorporate psychological empowerment mechanisms generate substantial effects on adolescent contraceptive knowledge. Heterogeneity by gender and future projection necessitates differentiated approaches in Andean contexts.
Introducción: El embarazo adolescente constituye un desafío de salud pública en América Latina con prevalencias elevadas en zonas andinas donde las barreras culturales limitan la agencia reproductiva. Objetivo: Determinar el efecto diferencial de un programa estructurado de planificación familiar sobre el conocimiento en prevención del embarazo adolescente, mediado por el empoderamiento psicológico y moderado por la proyección de futuro, en estudiantes de secundaria de instituciones educativas públicas del Cusco, durante el periodo 2024-2025. Metodología: Estudio cuasi-experimental con grupo control no equivalente y mediciones pre y postest, con una muestra de 260 estudiantes de 11 a 17 años (130 intervención, 130 control). La intervención se realizó en ocho sesiones de 60-90 minutos basadas en Intervention Mapping. Se realizó emparejamiento por puntaje de propensión, mediación bootstrap (5.000 muestras) y moderación por regresión jerárquica. Resultados: La intervención produjo una ganancia significativa en conocimiento anticonceptivo (d=0.85, eta2p=0.07, p<.001). El empoderamiento psicológico medio el 33% del efecto total (ab=0.15, IC 95% BCa: [0.08, 0.22]). La proyección de futuro se comportó como moderador el efecto (beta=0.18, p=.003, delta R2=0.04). Las mujeres mostraron mayores ganancias (d=1.02) que los hombres (d=0.68). Los resultados se mantuvieron robustos en siete especificaciones analíticas. Conclusiones: Los programas de educación sexual que incorporan mecanismos de empoderamiento psicológico generan efectos sustanciales en el conocimiento anticonceptivo adolescente. La heterogeneidad por género y proyección de futuro exige enfoques diferenciados en entornos andinos.
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