Sexual and Reproductive Health Education in Australia: A Qualitative Study of Health Professionals' Views

Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals

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15

Sex Education; Curriculum; Grade 11; Grade 12; Knowledge Level; Grade 10; Foreign Countries; Secondary School Students; Allied Health Personnel; Attitudes; Role; Course Content; School Role; Social Influences; Program Effectiveness; Motivation; Empowerment

10.1080/14681811.2022.2106961

1468-1811
1472-0825

Young people tend to have low levels of sexual health literacy. The aims of this work were to explore health professionals' perspectives of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) education in Australia and what they considered should be the core components of SRH curriculum, particularly for Year 11 and 12 students. In September and October, 2021, health professionals (n = 12) with expertise in SRH, in Victoria, Australia participated in semi-structured interviews. Data underwent descriptive qualitative analyses. Five themes and four sub-themes were identified. School-based SRH education was considered an important opportunity to provide young people with awareness and knowledge of SRH. In young people, awareness and knowledge of SRH were linked with higher levels of motivation and empowerment to protect SRH. Participants' opinions of key areas that should be covered in SRH education aligned with the national Australia Curriculum, with additional teaching about the health care services available to young people considered important. Concern was expressed that formal SRH education often ceases at the end of Year 10. Participants advocated for collaboration between education and health care, including trained external providers of school-based SRH education and school-based health care to increase young peoples' access to SRH information and care.

As Provided

2023

EJ1398488