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The Journal of Adolescent Health :... Jan 2021School-based sex education plays a vital role in the sexual health and well-being of young people. Little is known, however, about the effectiveness of efforts beyond... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE
School-based sex education plays a vital role in the sexual health and well-being of young people. Little is known, however, about the effectiveness of efforts beyond pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease prevention. The authors conducted a systematic literature review of three decades of research on school-based programs to find evidence for the effectiveness of comprehensive sex education.
METHODS
Researchers searched the ERIC, PsycINFO, and MEDLINE. The research team identified papers meeting the systematic literature review criteria. Of 8,058 relevant articles, 218 met specific review criteria. More than 80% focused solely on pregnancy and disease prevention and were excluded, leaving 39. In the next phase, researchers expanded criteria to studies outside the U.S. to identify evidence reflecting the full range of topic areas. Eighty articles constituted the final review.
RESULTS
Outcomes include appreciation of sexual diversity, dating and intimate partner violence prevention, development of healthy relationships, prevention of child sex abuse, improved social/emotional learning, and increased media literacy. Substantial evidence supports sex education beginning in elementary school, that is scaffolded and of longer duration, as well as LGBTQ-inclusive education across the school curriculum and a social justice approach to healthy sexuality.
CONCLUSIONS
Review of the literature of the past three decades provides strong support for comprehensive sex education across a range of topics and grade levels. Results provide evidence for the effectiveness of approaches that address a broad definition of sexual health and take positive, affirming, inclusive approaches to human sexuality. Findings strengthen justification for the widespread adoption of the National Sex Education Standards.
Topics: Adolescent; Child; Female; Humans; Pregnancy; Schools; Sex Education; Sexual Behavior; Sexuality; Sexually Transmitted Diseases
PubMed: 33059958
DOI: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2020.07.036 -
International Journal of Environmental... Mar 2021Adolescence, a period of physical, social, cognitive and emotional development, represents a target population for sexual health promotion and education when it comes to... (Review)
Review
Adolescence, a period of physical, social, cognitive and emotional development, represents a target population for sexual health promotion and education when it comes to achieving the 2030 Agenda goals for sustainable and equitable societies. The aim of this study is to provide an overview of what is known about the dissemination and effectiveness of sex education programs and thereby to inform better public policy making in this area. : We carried out a systematic review based on international scientific literature, in which only peer-reviewed papers were included. To identify reviews, we carried out an electronic search of the Cochrane Database Reviews, ERIC, Web of Science, PubMed, Medline, Scopus and PsycINFO. This paper provides a narrative review of reviews of the literature from 2015 to 2020. : 20 reviews met the inclusion criteria (10 in school settings, 9 using digital platforms and 1 blended learning program): they focused mainly on reducing risk behaviors (e.g., VIH/STIs and unwanted pregnancies), whilst obviating themes such as desire and pleasure, which were not included in outcome evaluations. The reviews with the lowest risk of bias are those carried out in school settings and are the ones that most question the effectiveness of sex education programs. Whilst the reviews of digital platforms and blended learning show greater effectiveness in terms of promoting sexual and reproductive health in adolescents (ASRH), they nevertheless also include greater risks of bias. : A more rigorous assessment of the effectiveness of sexual education programs is necessary, especially regarding the opportunities offered by new technologies, which may lead to more cost-effective interventions than with in-person programs. Moreover, blended learning programs offer a promising way forward, as they combine the best of face-to-face and digital interventions, and may provide an excellent tool in the new context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Topics: Adolescent; COVID-19; Female; Humans; Learning; Pandemics; Pregnancy; SARS-CoV-2; Sex Education
PubMed: 33806507
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18052555 -
Proceedings of the National Academy of... Feb 2022Women in the United States are much more likely to become mothers as teens than those in other rich countries. Teen births are particularly likely to be reported as...
Women in the United States are much more likely to become mothers as teens than those in other rich countries. Teen births are particularly likely to be reported as unintended, leading to debate over whether better information on sex and contraception might lead to reductions in teen births. We contribute to this debate by providing causal evidence at the population level. Our causal identification strategy exploits county-level variation in the timing and receipt of federal funding for more comprehensive sex education and data on age-specific teen birth rates at the county level constructed from birth certificate natality data covering all births in the United States. Our results show that federal funding for more comprehensive sex education reduced county-level teen birth rates by more than 3%. Our findings thus complement the mixed evidence to date from randomized control trials on teen pregnancies and births by providing population-level causal evidence that federal funding for more comprehensive sex education led to reductions in teen births.
Topics: Adolescent; Birth Rate; Contraception; Female; Humans; Models, Theoretical; Pregnancy; Pregnancy in Adolescence; Sex Education; Sexual Behavior; United States; Young Adult
PubMed: 35165192
DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2113144119 -
PloS One 2011The United States ranks first among developed nations in rates of both teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. In an effort to reduce these rates, the U.S....
The United States ranks first among developed nations in rates of both teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. In an effort to reduce these rates, the U.S. government has funded abstinence-only sex education programs for more than a decade. However, a public controversy remains over whether this investment has been successful and whether these programs should be continued. Using the most recent national data (2005) from all U.S. states with information on sex education laws or policies (N = 48), we show that increasing emphasis on abstinence education is positively correlated with teenage pregnancy and birth rates. This trend remains significant after accounting for socioeconomic status, teen educational attainment, ethnic composition of the teen population, and availability of Medicaid waivers for family planning services in each state. These data show clearly that abstinence-only education as a state policy is ineffective in preventing teenage pregnancy and may actually be contributing to the high teenage pregnancy rates in the U.S. In alignment with the new evidence-based Teen Pregnancy Prevention Initiative and the Precaution Adoption Process Model advocated by the National Institutes of Health, we propose the integration of comprehensive sex and STD education into the biology curriculum in middle and high school science classes and a parallel social studies curriculum that addresses risk-aversion behaviors and planning for the future.
Topics: Abortion, Induced; Adolescent; Birth Rate; Cultural Diversity; Female; Humans; Legislation as Topic; Medicaid; Models, Biological; Pregnancy; Pregnancy in Adolescence; Sex Education; Sexual Abstinence; Socioeconomic Factors; United States; Young Adult
PubMed: 22022362
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0024658 -
The Journal of Adolescent Health :... Sep 2017Adolescence is marked by the emergence of human sexuality, sexual identity, and the initiation of intimate relations; within this context, abstinence from sexual... (Review)
Review
Adolescence is marked by the emergence of human sexuality, sexual identity, and the initiation of intimate relations; within this context, abstinence from sexual intercourse can be a healthy choice. However, programs that promote abstinence-only-until-marriage (AOUM) or sexual risk avoidance are scientifically and ethically problematic and-as such-have been widely rejected by medical and public health professionals. Although abstinence is theoretically effective, in actual practice, intentions to abstain from sexual activity often fail. Given a rising age at first marriage around the world, a rapidly declining percentage of young people remain abstinent until marriage. Promotion of AOUM policies by the U.S. government has undermined sexuality education in the United States and in U.S. foreign aid programs; funding for AOUM continues in the United States. The weight of scientific evidence finds that AOUM programs are not effective in delaying initiation of sexual intercourse or changing other sexual risk behaviors. AOUM programs, as defined by U.S. federal funding requirements, inherently withhold information about human sexuality and may provide medically inaccurate and stigmatizing information. Thus, AOUM programs threaten fundamental human rights to health, information, and life. Young people need access to accurate and comprehensive sexual health information to protect their health and lives.
Topics: Adolescent; Coitus; Financing, Government; Health Policy; Human Rights; Humans; Marriage; Sex Education; Sexual Abstinence; Sexuality; United States
PubMed: 28842065
DOI: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2017.05.031 -
Revista Brasileira de Enfermagem 2017To investigate the knowledge of adolescents related to sexually transmitted infections (STIs), AIDS, and pregnancy, and understand the role of school in sex education.
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the knowledge of adolescents related to sexually transmitted infections (STIs), AIDS, and pregnancy, and understand the role of school in sex education.
METHOD:
A qualitative descriptive study, developed through a semi-structured interview and a form for participant characterization, with 22 high school students from a public school aged 16 to 19 years. Data were submitted to content analysis.
RESULTS:
After analysis, four thematic categories were developed: sexuality and sex education; understanding of risk behaviors; knowledge of STI/AIDS; and knowledge of and practices for prevention.
FINAL CONSIDERATIONS:
This study showed the need for preventive educational actions for adolescents, because the lack of information contributes to their vulnerability. The adolescents recognize the importance of sex education; therefore it is important to implement strategies to promote and protect health in the school environment to encourage and strengthen self-care in health.
OBJETIVO:
investigar o conhecimento de adolescentes relacionado às Infecções Sexualmente Transmissíveis (IST), AIDS e gravidez, além de conhecer a compreensão sobre o papel da escola na educação sexual.
MÉTODO:
estudo qualitativo, descritivo, desenvolvido por meio de entrevista semiestruturada e formulário para caracterização dos participantes, com 22 adolescentes entre 16 e 19 anos de idade, estudantes do Ensino Médio em uma escola pública. Os dados foram submetidos à análise de conteúdo.
RESULTADOS:
da análise emergiram quatro categorias temáticas: Sexualidade e educação sexual; Compreensão de comportamentos de risco; Conhecimento de IST/AIDS; Conhecimento e práticas de prevenção.
CONSIDERAÇÕES FINAIS:
revelou-se a necessidade de ações educativas de prevenção para os adolescentes, pois a falta de informações contribui para a sua vulnerabilidade. Os adolescentes reconhecem a importância da educação sexual; consequentemente, é importante a implementação de estratégias de promoção e de proteção à saúde no ambiente escolar para contribuir e fortalecer o autocuidado na saúde.
Topics: Adolescent; Adolescent Behavior; Female; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Health Literacy; Humans; Pregnancy; Qualitative Research; Sex Education; Sexually Transmitted Diseases; Young Adult
PubMed: 28977231
DOI: 10.1590/0034-7167-2016-0531 -
International Journal of Environmental... Sep 2018An effective innovative pedagogy for sexual health education is required to meet the demands of technology savvy digital natives. This study investigates the extent to...
An effective innovative pedagogy for sexual health education is required to meet the demands of technology savvy digital natives. This study investigates the extent to which game-based learning (GBL) and gamification could improve the sexual health education of adolescent students. We conducted a randomized control trial of GBL and gamification experimental conditions. We made a comparison with traditional teaching as a control condition in order to establish differences between the three teaching conditions. The sexual health education topics were delivered in a masked fashion, 40-min a week for five weeks. A mixed-method research approach was uses to assess and analyze the results for 120 students from a secondary school in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania. Students were divided into groups of 40 for each of the three teaching methods: GBL, gamification, and the control group (the traditional teaching method). The average post-test scores for GBL (Mean = 79.94, SD = 11.169) and gamification (Mean = 79.23, SD = 9.186) were significantly higher than the control group Mean = 51.93, SD = 18.705 ( (2, 117) = 54.75, = 0.001). Overall, statistically significant differences ( ≤ 0.05) were found for the constructs of Motivation, Attitude, Knowledge, and Engagement (MAKE). This study suggests that the two innovative teaching approaches can be used to improve the sexual health education of adolescent students. The methods can potentially contribute socially, particularly in improving sexual health behaviour and adolescents' knowledge in regions plagued by years of sexual health problems, including HIV/AIDS.
Topics: Adolescent; Child; Female; Games, Recreational; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Humans; Male; Sex Education; Students; Tanzania; Teaching
PubMed: 30227642
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph15092027 -
International Journal of Environmental... Feb 2023This work shows an approach to comprehensive sexual education as an anthropological key to promoting health in the self-realisation of future education professionals....
This work shows an approach to comprehensive sexual education as an anthropological key to promoting health in the self-realisation of future education professionals. Comprehensive sexual education and health form a system. To carry out this study, we have analysed the opinion that students of the Faculty of Education Sciences of the University of Granada (Spain) have about the comprehensive sexual education received and the importance of this training in their professional practice. For this purpose, we used a quantitative and exploratory research design, using a questionnaire as an instrument for collecting information with a sample of 293 students. The results show that students have received poor sex education, along with the belief that education professionals do not receive proper and organised training in sex education. We can conclude that the majority of respondents consider sex education to be a recognised right, highlighting the importance of education professionals receiving proper training in sex education at university, where content related to respect, education for equality, and sexual health is prioritised. Sexuality constitutes the fundamental anthropological structure: comprehensive sexual education is a source of personal (corporal, psychic, spiritual) and social health, hence the importance of educating in comprehensive sexuality.
Topics: Humans; Sex Education; Sexual Behavior; Sexuality; Universities; Attitude
PubMed: 36833991
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20043296 -
Journal of Environmental and Public... 2022Sexual behavior during adolescence fundamentally steers the future life of both girls and boys, and it should be guided with appropriate education, especially as it also...
Sexual behavior during adolescence fundamentally steers the future life of both girls and boys, and it should be guided with appropriate education, especially as it also represents a key factor to be considered in attainment of sustainable developmental goals. The study assessed the effect of exposure to sex education on adolescents' sexual behavior. The primary and cross-sectional survey data used for this study were analyzed using basic descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression analytical technique. The results, among others, highlighted that the most common sources of first sex education among the respondents are school (54.6%), family (21.6%), social media (9.5%), and others like television (7.6%) and books or magazines (4.9%). Frequency of discussion on sexual matters is positively associated with the use of protection such as condom ( = 0.261; ≤ 0.01). The study gave support to the increasing pursuit of sexuality education. However, since adolescents' needs could vary by demographics, streamlining sex education need by age and sex characteristics could enhance its effectiveness.
Topics: Adolescent; Adolescent Behavior; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Humans; Male; Nigeria; Sex Education; Sexual Behavior
PubMed: 35692663
DOI: 10.1155/2022/3962011 -
American Journal of Public Health Feb 2020Sex education in the United States is limited in both its content and the measures used to collect data on what is taught. The risk-reduction framework that guides the...
Sex education in the United States is limited in both its content and the measures used to collect data on what is taught. The risk-reduction framework that guides the teaching of sex education in the United States focuses almost exclusively on avoiding unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, overlooking other critical topics such as the information and skills needed to form healthy relationships and content related to sexual pleasure.Young people express frustration about the lack of information on sexuality and sexual behavior that is included in sex education programs; sexual and gender minority youths, in particular, feel overlooked by current approaches.International guidance provides a more robust framework for developing and measuring sex education and suggests a number of areas in which US sex education can improve to better meet the needs of youths.
Topics: Adolescent; Child Welfare; Humans; Pleasure; Risk Reduction Behavior; Sex Education; Sexual Behavior; Sexually Transmitted Diseases; United States
PubMed: 31855482
DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2019.305320