Knowledge Regarding the Role of Parents in Preventing the Rise of Sexually Transmitted Infection Cases among Vocational High School Students

Abstract

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) among adolescents are one of the health problems that continue to increase and require serious attention. Vocational high school (SMK) adolescents are a vulnerable group to risky behaviors due to a lack of knowledge about reproductive health, peer influence, and exposure to information from social media that is not always accurate. The purpose of this community service activity is to increase the knowledge and awareness of SMK adolescents as well as the role of parents in preventing the increase of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) through reproductive health education and effective family communication. This community service program aims to improve the knowledge and awareness of adolescents and the role of parents in preventing the increase of STI cases among SMK adolescents. The methods used include health counseling, reproductive health education, interactive discussions, provision of educational media, and knowledge evaluation using pre-test and post-test. The proposed solutions include education on the definition, modes of transmission, impacts, and prevention of STIs, strengthening parents’ roles in supporting adolescents, and training in effective communication between parents and children. This activity involves lecturers and students of the Medical Laboratory Technology Study Program as the implementers of the community service program.