Knowledge, Experiences, and Challenges of Mothers in Delivering Comprehensive Sexuality Education to Adolescents with Disabilities at Home: A Mixed-Methods Study from Indonesia
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.36570/jduhs.2025.2.2197Keywords:
Adolescent, Disabled Persons, Parents, Reproductive Health, Sex EducationAbstract
Objective: To explore knowledge, experiences, and challenges faced by mothers in delivering comprehensive
sexuality education (CSE) to adolescents with disabilities in a home setting in Indonesia.
Methods: A mixed-methods study was conducted in four government special schools in Bali Province between
September 2022 to February 2023. The quantitative phase employed a cross-sectional survey among 132
purposively selected mothers using a structured questionnaire based on the International Planned Parenthood
Federation framework to assess knowledge and attitudes toward CSE. The qualitative phase involved in-depth
interviews and focus group discussions with 20 mothers, exploring their experiences and barriers in providing
CSE.
Results: Over half of mothers 68 (51.5%) demonstrated good knowledge of reproductive health, with higher
educational attainment significantly associated with better knowledge (p-value <0.001) and more positive
attitudes (p-value <0.001). Although 93 (70.5%) of mothers reported having provided some form of CSE at home,
discussions often focused on basic topics such as puberty, with limited coverage of sensitive areas like pregnancy
and sexually transmitted infections. Qualitative findings revealed challenges including lack of parental training,
communication barriers due to the child's disability, and cultural discomfort surrounding sexuality. Mothers
expressed a preference for shared responsibility between schools and families in delivering CSE and emphasized
the need for tailored support and resources.
Conclusion: Despite generally positive attitudes, mothers face considerable barriers in effectively delivering CSE
to adolescents with disabilities. Interventions are needed to enhance parental knowledge, confidence, and skills
through culturally sensitive, disability-inclusive training and to promote collaborative approaches between
schools and families for comprehensive CSE delivery.
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