Background: Child sexual abuse (CSA) is a worldwide health crisis with catastrophic long-term consequences. Parents have a crucial role in prevention, yet their education on protective behaviors remains diminished. This gap necessitates the development and evaluation of effective, parent-focused health education programs. Aim: This study aimed to assess the effect of a health education program on parents' subjective practices regarding the prevention of CSA. Methods: A quasi-experimental, single-group pre-posttest and follow-up design was implemented with a sample of 88 parents in the Medina region of Saudi Arabia. Data were collected on parents' socio-demographic characteristics and self-report questionnaires of parents 'subjective practices regarding CSA prevention. Results: A significant difference in the mean subjective practice scores (P ≤ 0.05) was revealed by Repeated Measures ANOVA. Specifically, mean scores increased from pre-test (M = 7.34, SD = 3.34) to post-test 1 (M = 15.49, SD = 4.34). Although the mean score declined at post-test 2 (M = 8.60, SD = 1.41), it remained slightly higher than baseline. Family type was a statistically significant predictor of parents’ preventive practices (β = −0.337, p = 0.005). Conclusion and recommendations: A structured health education program was effective in improving parents` self-reported subjective practice regarding CSA prevention immediately after intervention but diminished over time. It is recommended to implement follow-up sessions or refresher materials to reinforce learning and sustain improved practices. Additionally, incorporating such interventions into routine parent education programs, considering family structure, mainly the extended one, to enhance long-term implementation and adherence to CSA preventive practices.

Keywords: Children, Health education program, Parents, Prevention, Self-Reported Subjective Practices, sexual abuse