Media Kesehatan Politeknik Kesehatan Makassar
Vol 21 No 1 (2026): Media Kesehatan

The Effectiveness of a Child-Centered Learning Approach as a Nursing Intervention in Improving Adolescents’ Knowledge about Early Marriage: A Quasi-Experimental Study

Wahyuningsih Wahyuningsih (Nursing Science Study Program, Faculty of Health, Patria Artha University, Gowa, Indonesia)
Brajakson Siokal (Department of Nursing, Faculty of Public Health, Indonesian Muslim University, Makassar, Indonesia)
Setiawan Kasim (Public Health Study Program, Faculty of Health, Patria Artha University, Gowa, Indonesia)
Fhirawati Fhirawati (Nursing Science Study Program, Faculty of Health, Patria Artha University, Gowa, Indonesia)
Sainah Sainah (Midwifery Study Program, Faculty of Health, Patria Artha University, Gowa, Indonesia)



Article Info

Publish Date
29 Jun 2026

Abstract

Early marriage remains a significant public health concern with adverse consequences for adolescents’ health, education, and psychosocial development. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of child-centered learning Approach as a nursing intervention in improving adolescents’ knowledge regarding early marriage. A quasi-experimental study with a pretest–posttest control group design was conducted in Borongloe Subdistrict, Bontomarannu District, Gowa Regency. A total of 100 adolescents aged 15–18 years participated in the study and were assigned to either an intervention group (n = 50) and a control group (n = 50). The intervention group received health education based on a Child-Centered Learning Approach that emphasized active learner engagement, collaborative learning, critical thinking, problem-solving activities, and the use age-appropriate educational materials. The control group received conventional lecture-based health education. Adolescents’ regarding early marriage was measured before and after the intervention using a structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test for within-group comparisons and the Mann–Whitney U test for between-group comparisons. The mean knowledge score in the intervention group increased from 55.44 to 87.00, while the control group showed only a slight change from 58.00 to 75.36. Statistical analysis showed a significant improvement in knowledge scores among adolescents in the intervention group after receiving child-centered learning–based health education (p < 0.001). In contrast, no significant change was observed in the control group. Comparative analysis between the two groups revealed a statistically significant difference in post-test knowledge scores (p < 0.001), indicating the effectiveness of the child-centered learning approach. These findings indicate that health education delivered through a child-centered learning approach can significantly improve adolescents’ knowledge regarding early marriage.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

medkes

Publisher

Subject

Dentistry Environmental Science Health Professions Immunology & microbiology Medicine & Pharmacology Nursing Public Health

Description

Jurnal Media Kesehatan Poltekkes Kemenkes Makassar adalah jurnal ilmiah yang dipublikasi oleh Unit Penelitian Poltekkes Kemenkes Makassar. Jurnal Media Kesehatan merupakan Jurnal Nasional yang diterbitkan dalam Bahasa Indonesia. Jurnal Media Kesehatan Poltekkes Kemenkes Makassar fokus pada ...