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An Evaluation of the Impact of an Informational Booklet on Mothers' Knowledge and Attitudes Toward Preventing Child Sexual Abuse in Selected Villages of Gohana 
Shalu1; Pooja1, Ritu2
1Independent Researcher, Delhi, India
2Assistant Professor, Shaheed Udham Singh College of Nursing, Haryana, India
Corresponding Author: Shalu, Independent Researcher, Delhi, India, Email: shalu1240@gmail.com
1Independent Researcher, Delhi, India
2Assistant Professor, Shaheed Udham Singh College of Nursing, Haryana, India
Corresponding Author: Shalu, Independent Researcher, Delhi, India, Email: shalu1240@gmail.com
Keywords
Child sexual abuse, prevention, mothers, rural communities, information booklet, knowledge, attitude, quasi-experimental study.
Abstract
Background: Child sexual abuse (CSA) is a pressing public health concern with long-lasting psychological, emotional, and developmental impacts on children. Studies reveal that lack of awareness, especially among parents, contributes significantly to the prevalence of CSA. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of an information booklet on the knowledge and attitudes of rural mothers regarding CSA prevention in selected villages of Gohana, Haryana.
Objectives: The study assessed (1) the existing levels of knowledge and attitude among mothers regarding CSA prevention, (2) the effectiveness of the information booklet as an educational intervention, and (3) the association between demographic variables and knowledge/attitude scores pre- and post-intervention.
Methods: A quasi-experimental research design with a quantitative approach was adopted. A total of 60 mothers were selected from two villages—Baroda (experimental group) and Khanpur Khurd (control group). Data collection tools included a self-administered questionnaire for knowledge assessment and a Likert scale for attitude measurement. The intervention consisted of an information booklet covering CSA definitions, protective strategies, myths, roles of stakeholders, and frequently asked questions. Pre- and post-test assessments were conducted, and data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.
Results: Pre-intervention, 80% of mothers demonstrated inadequate knowledge and 36.7% had a negative attitude toward CSA prevention. Post-intervention, 51.7?hieved adequate knowledge scores and 40% showed a positive attitude. A statistically significant improvement was observed in both knowledge and attitude scores post-intervention. However, no significant association was found between knowledge/attitude levels and demographic variables.
Conclusion: The study concludes that structured educational tools such as information booklets are effective in enhancing the awareness and attitudes of mothers regarding child sexual abuse prevention. Community-level interventions targeting parents, particularly mothers, are essential in safeguarding children against CSA.
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