scholarly journals Sex: What Is the Big Deal? Exploring Individuals’ with Intellectual Disabilities Experiences with Sex Education

2021 ◽  
pp. 104973232110570
Author(s):  
Rachelle Hole ◽  
Leyton Schnellert ◽  
Gloria Cantle
Keyword(s):  
Health Education ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
Intellectual Disabilities ◽  
Lived Experience ◽  
Sex Education ◽  
Health Knowledge ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Community Based Participatory Research ◽  
Sexual Health Education ◽  
Individuals With Intellectual Disabilities

This article offers perspectives shared by self-advocates in the first phase of a community-based participatory research project untaken to address barriers that individuals with intellectual disabilities face with respect to sexual health knowledge. Using descriptive qualitative methods, we interviewed 19 individuals with intellectual disability about their experiences and knowledge related to sexual health. The research question guiding this project was: What are self-advocates’ with intellectual disabilities experiences learning about sexual health and sexuality? The findings highlight that participants faced barriers and lack of access to sexual health education, and while they learned about sexual health through formal sexual health education, frequently this knowledge came through lived experience. Finally, the findings underscore that participants knew what they wanted with respect to sexual health education and offered recommendations. The importance of accessible sexual health education for self-advocates that supports their rights and desires to express their sexuality and sexual agency is highlighted.

Violating the Rights of the Child through Inadequate Sexual Health Education

2009 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 143-154 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charlene Kennedy ◽  
Katherine Covell
Keyword(s):  
Health Education ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
Sex Education ◽  
Health Knowledge ◽  
Children's Rights ◽  
Children’S Rights ◽  
Sexual Health Education ◽  
Rights Of The Child ◽  
Gays And Lesbians ◽  
The Impact

AbstractThe focus of this research was to examine the impact of traditional sexual health education, an approach that infringes upon children's rights to information, on 15 year-olds' knowledge of birth control, sexually transmitted infections, pregnancy, attitudes toward gays and lesbians. One hundred and twenty grade ten students completed a survey comprising measures of sex education received, sexual activity, sexual health knowledge, attitudes toward gays, lesbians, and the teaching of homosexuality, and school-based experiences with homophobia. Our findings reinforce the inadequacy of traditional sexual health education to meet rights consistent standards. Although many of the respondents were sexually active, their knowledge of sexual health issues, and especially of homosexuality, was poor. Homophobic expression was reported to be very common in schools, and teacher interventions were few. Prejudicial attitudes toward gays and lesbians were related to experience with homophobia and to a lack of knowledge about homosexuality. In essence current practices are violating the rights of all children but particularly those of sexual minority status. Consistency with children's rights requires shifts in sex education practices and teacher attitudes and behaviors.

Knowledge of School Nurses in the U.K. Regarding Sexual Health Education

2006 ◽  
Vol 22 (6) ◽  
pp. 352-357 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jo Westwood ◽  
Barbara Mullan
Keyword(s):  
Health Education ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
Sex Education ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Health Knowledge ◽  
School Nurses ◽  
Sexual Health Education ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Inadequate Knowledge ◽  
Health Strategy

In the U.K., a current government health strategy indicates that school nurses should be key contributors to sexual health education because they have access to the school-age population. However, there appears to be little research that investigates whether school nurses are the most appropriate health care professionals or indeed have sufficient knowledge to contribute to this topic in the schools. The purpose of this study was to examine the sexual health knowledge of school nurses, using a survey to assess school nurses employed in a large central region of the U.K. The results suggest that although their general knowledge of the topic was adequate, school nurses have insufficient knowledge to effectively teach about sexually transmitted infections or emergency contraception. This has implications for school nursing because it appears that school nurses may have inadequate knowledge about sexual health to contribute to sex education in schools.

Improving practice: Giving voice to the experiences of sexual health education teachers

2021 ◽  
pp. 001789692110296
Author(s):  
Carol A Cummings ◽  
Christine M Fisher ◽  
Rosemary Reilly-Chammat
Keyword(s):  
Health Education ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
Teacher Perceptions ◽  
Rhode Island ◽  
Sex Education ◽  
Comparative Approach ◽  
Accurate Information ◽  
Sexual Health Education ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
K 12

Objective: To explore teachers’ beliefs, experiences and barriers influencing teaching related to sexual health education. Methods, Design and Setting: Descriptive, cross-sectional study design. Rhode Island certified health teachers ( n = 190) completed an online sexual health education survey. Teacher perceptions about the need and benefits of teaching this subject, coverage of essential topics, their experiences and the barriers they faced were gathered. Qualitative questions were analysed using open, axial and selective coding. Constant comparative approach was used to identify themes. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse quantitative items. Results: Findings indicated that 98% of teachers felt that sexual health education should be taught. Less than 50% agreed that coverage for topics identified in the national sexuality education standards for grades K-12 should begin at each grade level. Two common themes – prevention and access to accurate information – emerged as reasons for teaching the subject. Themes generated from teacher experiences revealed the use of a risk reduction approach to sexual health education. Healthy sexual development, gender identity, inclusive education and all components of a comprehensive approach were not identified. Perceived barriers to teaching included teacher comfort, time, parents’ likely responses and lack of training. Conclusion: Findings signal the need for ongoing professional development to broaden teachers’ understanding of comprehensive sex education and address the beliefs and barriers that hinder inclusive and comprehensive teaching approaches. Good quality training in which teachers reflect on their beliefs and develop proficiency in the use of effective pedagogies can strengthen educator capacity and self-efficacy.

scholarly journals The sexual health education experiences of Eritrean women in Toronto: an evaluation of the raising sexually healthy children (RSHC) Program

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie Keech
Keyword(s):  
Health Education ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
Immigrant Health ◽  
Health Knowledge ◽  
Immigrant Parents ◽  
Healthy Children ◽  
Sexual Health Education ◽  
Health Education Program ◽  
Program Coordinators ◽  
Sexual Health Communication

Very few studies have focused on the health knowledge and practices of Eritrean women and their children in Canada. The research surrounding Eritrean women and their children’s awareness and exposure to sexual health education is even far more limited. This study aims to fill this gap in immigrant health research though an evaluation of the Raising Sexually Healthy Children (RSHC) Project, a sexual health education program for immigrant parents in Toronto. Evaluation is based on the Eritrean women’s experiences of the RSHC Program as well any challenges and benefits they encountered throughout its implementation. Six Eritrean women including four program participants as well as two program coordinators were interviewed. Findings indicated that despite the cultural taboo of discussing issues of sexual health, the women gained a greater sense of confidence, openness, and acceptance towards this topic. The study concluded that the RSHC program was successful in assisting the Eritrean women participants to develop effective sexual health communication with their children, family members, and wider community.

“Be proactive not reactive”: Understanding gaps in student sexual consent education

2021 ◽  
pp. e20210003
Author(s):  
Brittany Thiessen ◽  
Linzi Williamson ◽  
Carie M. Buchanan
Keyword(s):  
Health Education ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
Sexual Violence ◽  
Sex Education ◽  
Sexual Consent ◽  
Sexual Health Education ◽  
Healthy Sexuality ◽  
Wholistic Education ◽  
Sex Positive ◽  
Violence Prevention Programs

A growing number of universities are providing sexual violence prevention programs to students in recognizing the need for this programming. While universities favour programs on singular topics aimed at preventing sexual violence, scholars have argued that comprehensive sexual health education should begin prior to entering university to better ensure safer campus communities. Further, students have expressed unmet needs regarding the sexual health education they received prior to attending university. Therefore, the current study sought to explore gaps in sexual health education as identified by university students. Participants ( N = 444) were asked to describe the consent definition they were taught in high school and from their parents, and how the sexual health education they received could have been improved. An inductive thematic analysis was used to identify six themes from the data: back to consent education basics, you have the power to set boundaries, staying safe in sexual situations, take a sex-positive approach with sex education, wholistic education on consent-based relations, and practical recommendations for providing sex education. Findings highlight that participants desired a more wholistic approach to their sexual health education that included practical components on healthy sexuality. Notably, participants relayed how proper sexual health education may have prevented experiences of sexual violence they had. Thus, it is essential to continue exploring how best to provide comprehensive sexual health education to adolescents.

scholarly journals Opportunities and challenges in school-based sex and sexual health education in Nepal

1970 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 445-453 ◽  
Author(s):  
DR Acharya ◽  
ER Van Teijlingen ◽  
P Simkhada
Keyword(s):  
Health Education ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
Sex Education ◽  
Web Sites ◽  
Community Support ◽  
Education Programme ◽  
Personal Contact ◽  
Sexual Health Education ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
School Based

This article identifies and addresses opportunities for and challenges to current school-based sex and sexual health education in Nepal. Key literature searches were conducted of electronic databases and relevant web-sites, furthermore personal contact with experts and the hand searching of key journals was included. The review of this literature generated the following challenges: Limitations to teaching including lack of life skill-based and human right-based approach, inappropriate teaching aid and reliance on conventional methods, existing policy and practice, parental/community support, and lack of research into and evaluation of sex education. Diverse methodology in teaching, implementation of peer education programme, partnership with parents, involvement of external agencies and health professionals, capacity building of teachers, access to support and service organisation, and research and evaluation in sex education have been suggested for improving the current practice of sex and sexual health education in Nepalese schools. Key words: Sex education; education; school; adolescence; Nepal DOI: 10.3126/kumj.v7i4.2773 Kathmandu University Medical Journal (2009) Vol.7, No.4 Issue 28, 445-453

Effects of Peer Sexual Health Education on College Campuses: A Systematic Review

2018 ◽  
Vol 20 (5) ◽  
pp. 652-666 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tara Wong ◽  
Jennifer R. Pharr ◽  
Tim Bungum ◽  
Courtney Coughenour ◽  
Nancy L. Lough
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Health Education ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
Health Knowledge ◽  
Peer Education ◽  
Health And Wellness ◽  
Sexual Health Education ◽  
Sexual Health Information ◽  
Meta Analyses ◽  
Education Groups

Objective. College peer health education groups have grown in popularity to provide information about health and wellness topics. The purpose of this systematic review was to evaluate the effectiveness of peer education groups on reducing sexual health risks and increasing sexual health knowledge on a college campus. Method. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses guidelines were followed in searching, extracting, appraising, and synthesizing the evidence. A quality assessment was also conducted. The review was conducted in April 2017. Results. The initial search yielded 2,503 records. After critical appraisal, eight articles remained. Peer education was beneficial for increasing knowledge of sexual health topics and creating some behavior change such as increased condom use and HIV testing. Additionally, interventions developed specifically for women were effective. Conclusions. Peer education is an effective way to disseminate sexual health information and can be a reliable resource for college students.

scholarly journals Assessing the Impact of Parents’ Adolescent Reproductive and Sexual Health Knowledge on Sexual Health Education by Parents in the Asutifi (North and South) Districts of Ghana

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (09) ◽  
pp. 1626-1633
Author(s):  
Evelyn Serwaa Adjei ◽  
Kennedy Ameyaw Baah
Keyword(s):  
Health Education ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
Health Knowledge ◽  
Sexual Risk Behaviour ◽  
Sexual Health Education ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Level Of Education ◽  
Adolescent Sexual Health ◽  
The Impact ◽  
North And South

Parent’s involvement in adolescent sexual health education has been identified as one of the effective ways of reducing sexual risk behaviour among adolescents. However, a number of factors may prevent parents from carrying out adolescent sexual health education. Four hundred and twenty-four (424) parents/guardians, including 180 males and 244 females were randomly selected from the Asutifi north and south districts of the Brong- Ahafo region of Ghana for the cross- sectional study. Self-administered and interviewer-administered questionnaires consisting of demographic characteristics, parent’s knowledge on adolescent sexual health, socioeconomic factors, cultural factors and practice of sexual health education were the measures for the study. Literate respondents had self-administered questionnaire while illiterate respondents had interviewer administered questionnaires. Interviewers translated the questionnaire from the English language to the local language (Twi) for illiterate respondents to ensure better understanding of the questions. 86.1% of the surveyed parents practice adolescent sexual health education. Females as well as married parents were found to practice sexual health education (SHE) more than male and unmarried parents respectively. Two variables remained significant after controlling for relevant demographic and other factors. These included parent’s knowledges on adolescent sexual health (OR=2.35; 95% CI 1.34-4.09) and parents’ level of education (OR= 3.47; 95% CI 1.27-9.45). Government agencies in collaboration with stake holders should develop policies that will ensure that parents are given the necessary training that will boost both their level of education and knowledge on adolescent sexual health.

scholarly journals Sexual health promotion for young people delivered via digital media: a scoping review

2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (13) ◽  
pp. 1-120 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia Bailey ◽  
Sue Mann ◽  
Sonali Wayal ◽  
Rachael Hunter ◽  
Caroline Free ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Promotion ◽  
Health Education ◽  
Young People ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
Digital Media ◽  
Behaviour Change ◽  
Sexual Behaviour ◽  
Health Knowledge ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Sexual Health Education

BackgroundYoung people are at risk of poor sexual health and are, therefore, in need of comprehensive, effective sexual health education. Young people are confident and constant users of digital technology, such as the internet and mobile phones, and there are many innovative possibilities for sexual health education involving these technologies.ObjectivesTo summarise evidence on effectiveness, cost-effectiveness and mechanism of action of interactive digital interventions (IDIs) for sexual health; optimal practice for intervention development; contexts for successful implementation; research methods for digital intervention evaluation; and the future potential of sexual health promotion via digital media.DesignLiterature review of evidence on digital interventions for sexual health for young people, integrating the findings with the views of young people, parents and experts in digital media/sexual health. IDIs are defined as digital media programmes that provide health information and tailored decision support, behaviour-change support and/or emotional support. We focus on sexual well-being for young people aged 13–24 years in the UK.ResultsThere are many imaginative IDIs for sexual health promotion, but few interventions address issues that are important to young people, such as sexual pleasure and relationships. It is vital to collaborate with young people and to use Behaviour-Change Theory in designing interventions. We located 19 randomised controlled trials of IDIs for sexual health promotion for young people, finding a moderate effect on sexual health knowledge [standardised mean difference (SMD) 0.54, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.17 to 0.92], a small effect on confidence (self-efficacy) (SMD 0.11, 95% CI 0.02 to 0.20) and a positive effect on sexual behaviour (odds ratio 1.28, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.61), but no significant effects on safer sex intention or biological outcomes. One study suggests that IDIs may be as good as face-to-face interventions for sexual health knowledge and safer sex intention. There are no existing data on the cost-effectiveness of IDIs for sexual health promotion. The impact of an IDI will be determined by the proportion of the target population reached, intervention efficacy, adoption in a setting, how well it is delivered and maintenance/sustainability. All of these elements must be addressed for IDIs to be successful. More collaboration is needed to capitalise on the knowledge of users and stakeholders, the design and software skills of the commercial sector and the theoretical expertise and evaluation skills of academia.ConclusionsIDIs are effective for knowledge acquisition and sexual behaviour, and could usefully contribute to sexual health education in schools, in clinic settings and online; however, there are obstacles to overcome, such as access to information technology and ensuring the quality and safety of interventions.Future workMore evidence is needed on the best designs for interventions (e.g. choice of behaviour-change mechanisms and interactive features) and the best models of delivery (e.g. setting, modes of delivery, methods of facilitation and support for engagement) to improve sexual behaviour, biological outcomes and sexual well-being in a cost-effective way.FundingThe National Institute for Health Research Public Health Research programme.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document