Opportunities for strengthening sexual

health education in schools:

Findings from a student needs assessment in
New South Wales, Australia
Caecilia Roth, Yan Cheng, Kristine Concepcion, Anne Stuart,
Jane Estoesta
Family Planning NSW, Australia
Background
Why is effective comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) important?
• Increase correct knowledge and challenge myths
• Clarify and strengthen positive values and attitudes
• Delay sexual debut
• Increase safe sex practices, reduce STIs and unintended pregnancies
• Empower young people with skills and information to make informed
decisions

Aims of the research:

• What are the experiences, needs and opinions of students?
• Identify areas where education programs are not meeting the current
learning needs of secondary school students
• Inform future development of educational resources and professional
learning programs for teachers to build schools’ capacity to provide CSE.
Methods
• 2017 anonymous online survey
• NSW secondary school students in Years 8-12 (ages 12-18)
• Recruitment through social media

Questions regarding students’ experiences of relationships, sexuality

and sexual health education (RSSH):
• sources of RSSH information
• topics included and how well they were covered
• who provided education sessions at school
• resources used and preferred by students
• perceptions of education effectiveness.

Data analysis: Descriptive statistics and thematic analysis

Ethics approvals: Family Planning NSW and NSW Department

of Education (SERAP)
Results - Participants
1,603 students completed the online survey.
 Representative mix of metropolitan, regional and rural students
 61% from government schools; independent and faith-based
schools also represented.
Transgender and
Gender Diverse
3%
Year 8
7%
Year 9 Male
Year 12 16% 26%
39% Female
71%
Year 10
22%
Year 11
16%
Year Level Gender
 Results
Sources of RSSH information by topic
80

70

60

50 School

Friends
40
Social media
30 Websites

20

10

0
Puberty Sexual harassment, STIs STI treatment and Porn and media Sexual feelings and
abuse & bullying testing representations of sex desires
 Results
Amount of information provided at school
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%

Puberty
Safe sexual practices
Lots of
STIs information
Sexual harassment, abuse & bullying
Contraception
Gender identity No
information &
Same sex attraction & sexual identity
want some
Porn and media representations of sex
Sexual feelings and desires
STI treatment and testing
Results
Preferred resources and ways of learning
• Online videos / YouTube
• Other educational videos or DVDs
• Websites
• Printed materials such as posters and brochures
• Interactive learning activities
• Current information and resources
• Real life stories , authentic, showing personal experiences
• Opportunities for open, honest and respectful discussion
• Reflecting and normalising diversity – relationships, culture, point of
view, bodies, gender, sexuality
Results
Effect of relationships, sexuality & sexual health education
on students
Increased Helped prepare for healthy Clarified myths and
knowledge 45% decision making 38% answered questions 33%

“I personally feel like we deeply benefited from the year 11

seminar and it should be an opportunity all year 11 students
receive, without it I wouldn't be practising safe sex.“ (Year 12, age 16)

“My school gave as little information as possible, they were very

vague and didn’t answer my questions. “ (Year 10, age 16)
Results
Overall student satisfaction with sexual health
education at school
70

60

50 Somewhat
or totally
40
satisfied
30
Not very or
20 not at all
satisfied
10

0
TOTAL Trans/gender diverse Public schools Independent schools Faith-based schools
students
Recommendations
Professional learning for teachers - build capacity and
confidence
• Evidence based, sex positive approach to CSE
• Engaging teaching and learning strategies and activities
• Inclusive language and approach – gender, bodies,
relationships
• Facilitate discussion and critical thinking with students
• Accurate and up to date information
• Provide key messages for emerging issues and identified
gaps in student knowledge
• Embed health literacy – access local services and model
information seeking
• Supporting a whole school approach
• Access to relevant and appropriate resources
Recommendations
Develop and provide resources to support effective teaching
and learning:
• Fact sheets, lesson plans, websites addressing topics of
need
• Easy to access – available online
• Include relatable contexts and personal stories – videos,
case studies
• Reflect diversity and inclusive language
• Use social media for positive health promotion
Questions
About Family Planning NSW
• Integrated Health Services:
– Clinics in 5 locations and outreach
– Health Promotion
– Talkline: Free and confidential information and advice about reproductive and sexual
health issues. Phone 1300 658 886, email talkline@fpnsw.org.au or chat
www.fpnsw.org.au

• Education and Training: For clinicians, teachers and community sector workers

• Research and Evaluation

• International Programs in the Pacific region

• Website: www.fpnsw.org.au Body Talk website: www.bodytalk.org.au

• Online Shop: shop.fpnsw.org.au