scholarly journals A qualitative assessment of the sexual-health education, training and service needs of young adults in Tehran

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Narges Sheikhansari ◽  
Charles Abraham ◽  
Sarah Denford ◽  
Mehrdad Eftekhar
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Health Education ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
Risky Sexual Behavior ◽  
Skills Training ◽  
Risky Behaviors ◽  
Qualitative Assessment ◽  
Service Needs ◽  
Sexual Health Education ◽  
Sexual Healthcare

Abstract Background Sexual Health and Relationships Education (SHRE) provides individuals with knowledge and skills to manage risky behaviors and take informed decisions to protect themselves against STIs, and unintended pregnancy. Only minimal SHRE is provided in Iranian schools and universities and previous research has highlighted needs and demands for improved SHRE and sexual services in Iran. This study explored young, Iranian adults’ experience of, and need for sexual health education, sexual skills training and sexual healthcare services, as well their views on how to augment and improve existing provision. Design and methods Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a sample of 25 young adults who lived in Tehran, Iran and had volunteered to participate in the study. Transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results Participants explained their needs and demands for sexual health education and sexual healthcare. They unanimously expressed their dissatisfaction with available SHRE and sexual health care provision. They highlighted barriers to gaining sexual health information and seeking advice and healthcare, including a lack of reliable resources, taboo and cultural barriers, lack of trust and protected confidentiality. This has resulted in ambiguities and misconceptions, including those regarding the cause and transmission of STIs and correct use of contraceptives. Participants recommended improvements, including holding mixed-gender extracurricular workshops with a comprehensive approach to sexual health and relationships education. Conclusions There is a clear need and demand for provision of relevant and reliable sexual health and relationships education for young adults in Tehran. This should be addressed to empower young people to make informed choices and avoid risky sexual behavior.

scholarly journals A qualitative assessment of the sexual-health education, training and service needs of young adults in Tehran

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Narges Sheikhansari ◽  
Charles Abraham ◽  
Sarah Denford ◽  
Mehrdad Eftekhar
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Health Education ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
Risky Sexual Behavior ◽  
Risky Behaviors ◽  
Qualitative Assessment ◽  
Service Needs ◽  
Sexual Health Education ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Education Training

Abstract Background: Sexual Health and Relationships Education (SHRE) provides individuals with the knowledge and skills set which helps them to manage risky behaviors and take informed decisions and to protect themselves against STIs, risky behavior and unintended pregnancy. Such education is minimally provided in Iranian schools and universities and previous research has indicated demand and need for SHRE among different social groups. This study explored Iranian young adults’ sexual health education, training and service needs and ways to improve or augment the existing provision.Design and methods: A qualitative design was employed. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a sample of 25 young adults who lived in Tehran, Iran and have volunteered to participate in our study. Transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis.Results: Participants explained their need and demand for sexual health education and healthcare. They highlighted existing barriers such as lack of reliable resources, taboo and cultural barriers and lack of trust and protected confidentiality to gaining sexual health information and seeking related advice and healthcare. This has resulted in ambiguities and misconceptions, including those regarding the cause and transmission of STIs and correct use of contraceptions.They unanimously expressed their dissatisfaction with the limitedly available sexual health education and provided recommendations for an improved provision, including holding mixed gender extracurricular workshops with a comprehensive approach to sexual health and relationships education.Conclusions: There is a clear need and demand for provision of relevant and reliable sexual health and relationships education to young adults, which needs to be addressed in order for young adults to make informed choices and limit their risky sexual behavior.

scholarly journals A qualitative assessment of the sexual-health education, training and service needs of young adults in Tehran

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Narges Sheikhansari ◽  
Charles Abraham ◽  
Sarah Denford ◽  
Mehrdad Eftekhar
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Health Education ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
Risky Sexual Behavior ◽  
Risky Behaviors ◽  
Qualitative Assessment ◽  
Service Needs ◽  
Sexual Health Education ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Education Training

Abstract Background: Sexual Health and Relationships Education (SHRE) provides individuals with the knowledge and skills set which helps them to manage risky behaviors and take informed decisions and to protect themselves against STIs, risky behavior and unintended pregnancy. Such education is minimally provided in Iranian schools and universities and previous research has indicated demand and need for SHRE among different social groups. This study explored Iranian young adults’ sexual health education, training and service needs and ways to improve or augment the existing provision.Design and methods: A qualitative design was employed. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a sample of 25 young adults who lived in Tehran, Iran and have volunteered to participate in our study. Transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: Participants explained their need and demand for sexual health education and healthcare. They highlighted existing barriers such as lack of reliable resources, taboo and cultural barriers and lack of trust and protected confidentiality to gaining sexual health information and seeking related advice and healthcare. This has resulted in ambiguities and misconceptions, including those regarding the cause and transmission of STIs and correct use of contraceptions.They unanimously expressed their dissatisfaction with the limitedly available sexual health education and provided recommendations for an improved provision, including holding mixed gender extracurricular workshops with a comprehensive approach to sexual health and relationships education.Conclusions: There is a clear need and demand for provision of relevant and reliable sexual health and relationships education to young adults, which needs to be addressed in order for young adults to make informed choices and limit their risky sexual behavior.

Sexual Health and Sexual Health Education: Contemporary Perceptions and Concerns of Young Adults Within the Millennial Population Cohort

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 476-490
Author(s):  
Julie E. Lucero ◽  
Sara L. Hanafi ◽  
Amber D. Emerson ◽  
Karla I. Rodriguez ◽  
Liliana Davalos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Health Education ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
Sexual Health Education ◽  
Population Cohort

scholarly journals Engaging African American Youth in the Development of a Serious Mobile Game for Sexual Health Education: Mixed Methods Study (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Loral Patchen ◽  
Lindsey Ellis ◽  
Tony Xuyen Ma ◽  
Corilyn Ott ◽  
Katie H K Chang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
African American ◽  
Health Education ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
African American Youth ◽  
Usability Testing ◽  
Role Playing ◽  
The United States ◽  
Serious Game ◽  
Sexual Health Education

BACKGROUND Although teen pregnancy rates decreased dramatically in the United States over the past decade, the rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among adolescents and young adults increased. STI rates disproportionately affect African American youth and young adults. Innovative, accessible, and culturally relevant sexual health interventions are urgently needed. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to identify the optimal modality for a game-based sexual health intervention; develop the educational, entertainment, and technological aspects of the serious game; and demonstrate its usability and acceptance by the target population. METHODS This project was grounded in formative data collection with community-based participatory research principles and practices combined with a user-centered design and development approach. Sexually Active Adolescent–Focused Education (SAAFE) was developed using input and feedback from African American youths aged 15 to 21 years who participated in a youth advisory board and focus group discussions to inform the co-design and cocreation of the serious game. The process was highly iterative with multiple sessions for user input following design changes. It proceeded in 3 stages. Social cognitive theory and problem-solving theory were leveraged to provide evidence-based, trauma-informed education through a serious game. Usability testing assessed the quality of user experience with the prototype. RESULTS Across all 3 stages, a total of 86 self-identified African American males and females aged 15 to 21 years from the District of Columbia and Birmingham, Alabama, participated. Participants requested a dating simulation game. They wanted SAAFE to be customizable, realistic, entertaining, educational, modern, and experiential, linking consequences to their gameplay decisions. Usability testing resulted in an initial System Usability Survey score of 77.7, placing the game in the 82nd percentile and above average for usability. CONCLUSIONS Initial results suggest that the SAAFE prototype is a promising intervention to engage African American youth in sexual health education using a role-playing game. If proven efficacious, the game has the potential to meet the need for sex education, counterbalance unhealthy portrayals of sex in popular media, and respond to the disparities in the STI epidemic.

scholarly journals Engaging African American Youth in the Development of a Serious Mobile Game for Sexual Health Education: Mixed Methods Study

10.2196/16254 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. e16254 ◽  
Author(s):  
Loral Patchen ◽  
Lindsey Ellis ◽  
Tony Xuyen Ma ◽  
Corilyn Ott ◽  
Katie HK Chang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
African American ◽  
Health Education ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
African American Youth ◽  
Usability Testing ◽  
Role Playing ◽  
The United States ◽  
Serious Game ◽  
Sexual Health Education

Background Although teen pregnancy rates decreased dramatically in the United States over the past decade, the rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among adolescents and young adults increased. STI rates disproportionately affect African American youth and young adults. Innovative, accessible, and culturally relevant sexual health interventions are urgently needed. Objective This study aimed to identify the optimal modality for a game-based sexual health intervention; develop the educational, entertainment, and technological aspects of the serious game; and demonstrate its usability and acceptance by the target population. Methods This project was grounded in formative data collection with community-based participatory research principles and practices combined with a user-centered design and development approach. Sexually Active Adolescent–Focused Education (SAAFE) was developed using input and feedback from African American youths aged 15 to 21 years who participated in a youth advisory board and focus group discussions to inform the co-design and cocreation of the serious game. The process was highly iterative with multiple sessions for user input following design changes. It proceeded in 3 stages. Social cognitive theory and problem-solving theory were leveraged to provide evidence-based, trauma-informed education through a serious game. Usability testing assessed the quality of user experience with the prototype. Results Across all 3 stages, a total of 86 self-identified African American males and females aged 15 to 21 years from the District of Columbia and Birmingham, Alabama, participated. Participants requested a dating simulation game. They wanted SAAFE to be customizable, realistic, entertaining, educational, modern, and experiential, linking consequences to their gameplay decisions. Usability testing resulted in an initial System Usability Survey score of 77.7, placing the game in the 82nd percentile and above average for usability. Conclusions Initial results suggest that the SAAFE prototype is a promising intervention to engage African American youth in sexual health education using a role-playing game. If proven efficacious, the game has the potential to meet the need for sex education, counterbalance unhealthy portrayals of sex in popular media, and respond to the disparities in the STI epidemic.

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.

The State of Sexual Health Education in U.S. Medicine

2014 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 65-80 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Criniti ◽  
M. Andelloux ◽  
M. B. Woodland ◽  
O. C. Montgomery ◽  
S. Urdaneta Hartmann
Keyword(s):  
Health Education ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
The State ◽  
Sexual Health Education
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