An innovative course on sex education in the Netherlands

Abstract STUDY QUESTION Can we develop a web-based sex education programme (programme running in a web browser) that addresses the needs of subfertile couples who are advised expectant management for at least 6 months? SUMMARY ANSWER The ‘Pleasure & Pregnancy’ programme addresses couples’ needs, is likely to improve couples’ sexual functioning, and is subsequently hypothesised to improve the chance of natural pregnancy. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY According to professional guidelines (e.g. the Netherlands and UK) couples with unexplained subfertility and a good chance of natural pregnancy, should be advised at least 6 months of expectant management. Adherence to expectant management is challenging as couples and gynaecologist prefer a more active approach. Targeting sexuality may be useful as subfertility is a risk factor for decreased sexual functioning. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION A novel programme was developed according to the three steps of the Medical Research Councils’ (MRC) framework. First, relevant literature was explored. Second, an interdisciplinary expert panel developed a theory (based on a systematic literature review and patient interviews) on how the chance of natural conception can be improved. Third, the expected process and outcomes were modelled. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Two licenced clinical sexologists, two gynaecologists, a clinical embryologist and two midwife-researchers, all from Belgium and the Netherlands, proposed components for the sex education programme. PubMed was searched systematically for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the proposed components in different patient populations. The needs of 12 heterosexual Dutch or Belgian couples who were advised expectant management were explored with in-depth interviews. The content and delivery characteristics of the novel programme were described in detail with the aid of ‘Intervention Taxonomy’. To model the outcomes, a protocol for an RCT was designed, registered and submitted for publication. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE To help maintain or improve sexual functioning, mainly pleasure, and hence increase pregnancy rates, the web-based Pleasure & Pregnancy programme contains a combination of psychosexual education and couple communication, mindfulness and sensate focus exercises. Information on the biology of conception and interaction with fertility clinic staff and peers were added based on couples’ needs to increase potential acceptability. LIMITATIONS AND REASON FOR CAUTION This paper outlines the development phase of a sex education programme according to the MRC-framework. Whether the Pleasure & Pregnancy programme actually is acceptable, improves sexual functioning, increases pregnancy rates and is cost-effective remains to be determined. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS No previous interactive web-based sex education programme has aimed to increase the natural pregnancy rate of subfertile couples by targeting their sexual pleasure. The Pleasure & Pregnancy programme addresses couples’ needs and its effect on sexual functioning and pregnancy rate is plausible but remains to be demonstrated by an RCT which is currently ongoing. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) Funding was provided by The Netherlands Organisation for Health Research and Development (ZonMw), Flanders Research Foundation and the University of Amsterdam. C.B.L. is editor-in-chief of Human Reproductionbut was blinded to all parts of the peer review process. The remaining authors have no conflict of interest to report. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER Not applicable.

Download Full-text

Public acceptability of a sugar-sweetened beverage tax and its associated factors in the Netherlands

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s1368980020001500 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-11

Author(s):

Michelle Eykelenboom ◽

Maartje M van Stralen ◽

Margreet R Olthof ◽

Carry M Renders ◽

Ingrid HM Steenhuis

Keyword(s):

The Netherlands ◽

Sex Education ◽

Economic Benefit ◽

Associated Factors ◽

Weight Status ◽

Education Level ◽

Sugar Sweetened Beverage ◽

Sweetened Beverage ◽

Public Acceptability ◽

Health Initiatives

Abstract Objective: To investigate the level of public acceptability of a sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) tax and its associated factors. Design: Participants completed an online self-administered questionnaire. Acceptability of an SSB tax was measured on a seven-point Likert scale (strongly disagree to strongly agree). Associations between acceptability and sociodemographic factors, weight status, SSB consumption and beliefs about effectiveness (e.g., ‘An SSB tax would reduce people’s SSB consumption’), appropriateness, socioeconomic and economic benefit, implementation and trust were assessed using multivariable linear regression analyses. Setting: The Netherlands. Participants: Dutch adults aged ≥18 years representative of the Dutch population for age, sex, education level and location (n 500). Results: Of the participants, 40 % supported and 43 % opposed an SSB tax in general. Moreover, 42 % supported (43 % opposed) an SSB tax as a strategy to reduce overweight, and 55 % supported (32 % opposed) an SSB tax if revenue is used for health initiatives. Participants with a low education level (B = –0·82, 95 % CI –1·31, –0·32), overweight (B = –0·49, 95 % CI –0·89, –0·09), moderate or high SSB consumption (B = –0·86, 95 % CI –1·30, –0·43 and B = –1·01, 95 % CI –1·47, –0·56, respectively) and households with adolescents (B = –0·57, 95 % CI –1·09, –0·05) reported a lower acceptability of an SSB tax than their counterparts. Beliefs about effectiveness, appropriateness, socioeconomic and economic benefit, implementation and trust were associated with acceptability (P < 0·001). Conclusions: Public acceptability of an SSB tax tends to be higher if revenue is used for health initiatives. The factors associated with acceptability should be taken into consideration.

Download Full-text

Including Diversity? The Politics of Sex Education in the Netherlands

The SAGE Handbook of Global Sexualities ◽

10.4135/9781529714364.n10 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 206-220

Author(s):

Willemijn Krebbekx

Keyword(s):

The Netherlands ◽

Sex Education

Download Full-text

Maintaining cognitive function with internet use: a two-country, six-year longitudinal study

International Psychogeriatrics ◽

10.1017/s1041610219000668 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 31 (07) ◽

pp. 929-936 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Jessica Berner ◽

Hannie Comijs ◽

Sölve Elmståhl ◽

Anna-Karin Welmer ◽

Johan Sanmartin Berglund ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Cognitive Function ◽

The Netherlands ◽

Sex Education ◽

Internet Use ◽

Longitudinal Design ◽

Difference Score ◽

National Study ◽

Living Situation ◽

Significant Change

ABSTRACTObjectives:Maintaining good cognitive function with aging may be aided by technology such as computers, tablets, and their applications. Little research so far has investigated whether internet use helps to maintain cognitive function over time.Design:Two population-based studies with a longitudinal design from 2001/2003 (T1) to 2007/2010 (T2).Setting:Sweden and the Netherlands.Participants:Older adults aged 66 years and above from the Swedish National Study on Ageing and Care (N = 2,564) and from the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam (N = 683).Measurements:Internet use was self-reported. Using the scores from the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) from T1 and T2, both a difference score and a significant change index was calculated. Linear and logistic regression analysis were performed with difference score and significant change index, respectively, as the dependent variable and internet use as the independent variable, and adjusted for sex, education, age, living situation, and functional limitations. Using a meta-analytic approach, summary coefficients were calculated across both studies.Results:Internet use at baseline was 26.4% in Sweden and 13.3% in the Netherlands. Significant cognitive decline over six years amounted to 9.2% in Sweden and 17.0% in the Netherlands. Considering the difference score, the summary linear regression coefficient for internet use was −0.32 (95% CI: −0.62, −0.02). Considering the significant change index, the summary odds ratio for internet use was 0.54 (95% CI: 0.37, 0.78).Conclusions:The results suggest that internet use might play a role in maintaining cognitive functioning. Further research into the specific activities that older adults are doing on the internet may shine light on this issue.

Download Full-text

The Politics of Sex Education Policy in England and Wales and The Netherlands since the 1980s

Journal of Social Policy ◽

10.1017/s0047279402006761 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 31 (4) ◽

pp. 669-694 ◽

Cited By ~ 26

Author(s):

JANE LEWIS ◽

TRUDIE KNIJN

Keyword(s):

The Netherlands ◽

Secondary Schools ◽

Sex Education ◽

Teenage Pregnancy ◽

Policy Making ◽

Central Government ◽

Political Debate ◽

England And Wales ◽

Documentary Sources ◽

The Uk

Teenage pregnancy rates are extremely high in the UK and extremely low in The Netherlands. Sex education is acknowledged to be a determining factor. While it is by no means the most important factor, it provides a useful comparative lens through which to examine the very different approaches of the British and Dutch to policy-making in this sensitive area.The issue of sex education is controversial in both the UK and The Netherlands, but while the political debate has been fierce in the UK it has been largely absent in The Netherlands. Our research used documentary sources and interviews to investigate the recent history of policy-making on sex education at the central government level; compared a selection of key texts used in secondary schools; and drew on exploratory fieldwork in three English and three Dutch secondary schools. We find that the approach to the issue is in large part determined by the struggle over ideas in respect of the wider issues of change in the family and sexuality. We suggest that the adversarial nature of the politics of sex education in England and Wales results in a message that lacks coherence, which is in turn reflected in what happens in the classroom. We do not advocate any simple attempt at ‘policy borrowing’, but rather highlight the importance of understanding the differences in the nature and conduct of the debate.

Download Full-text