School sex education, a process for evaluation: methodology and results

This study outlines a method used to evaluate sex education.Results from a questionnaire are presented from 3314 Year 11students in 25 schools from non-metropolitan Britain. Over 70%answered that their sex education had included ‘a lot’or ‘some’ education on sexual intercourse, contraceptionand sexually transmitted diseases (STDs); 51% demonstrationof condoms; 45% personal morality; and 36% assertiveness trainingincluding ‘how to say no’. Teenagers' assessmentof sex education was varied but only the minority (44%) consideredit satisfactory. Over 70% said they thought teaching a widerange of topics should start in Year 8 (aged 11/12 years), most(75%) wanted outside agencies involved in the teaching, (57%)did not want parents to provide ‘most of it’ and(70%) did not want it taught in single-sex groups. School wasthe most frequently specified source of ‘most helpful’information on contraception (38%) and STDs (45%). Teenagerswithin schools perceived to deliver above average input on contraceptionand STDs were more likely to cite school as their most helpfulsource of information. Increasing input was not associated withincreasing awareness of risks from STDs nor improved knowledgeof contraception. The questionnaire and reporting of comparativefindings back to the schools will allow an assessment of currentpractice and future change to sex education programmes.