(085) Investigating the Relationship Between Experiences of Sexual Health Education and Sexual Health Outcomes

Abstract

Abstract Introduction Young people (16–24-year-olds) experience the highest diagnosis rates of STIs. Lack of engagement, public awareness, lack of training, and long-standing, widespread stigma around STIs remain barriers to greater and more effective use of interventions such as sexual health education and other services. Whilst relationship and sexual health education (RSE) has been part of many school curriculums for generations, young people’s experiences of RSE can vary widely. Objective This research aims to provide insight into the experiences of sexual health education, sexual health behaviours and recommendations to improve engagement and sexual health outcomes amongst adolescents. Methods An online quantitative survey was conducted between June and July 2021 (n=5,457). 855 respondents were recruited from a market research panel (answering a 20-minute survey) and a further 4,602 respondents were recruited via public links (answering a cut-down survey). All respondents were living in the UK and aged 18+. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and adjusted to reflect the sample size of LGBTQ+ and heterosexual respondents. Results 90% of respondents received formal sex education, however, only 12% agreed sex education had a positive long-lasting effect on their sexual life. Reproductive biology, pregnancy, safe sex, and avoiding STIs were the core pillars of sex education, whilst different sexualities, pleasurable intimate relations, gender identity and trans-specific topics were covered less than 13% of the time. Although 90% of respondents declared they have a good understanding of sexual health risks, sexual health outcomes in this group were sub-optimal; safe sex was only consistently practiced by 43% of respondents and regular testing only carried out by 25% of respondents. Conclusions Whilst most participants reported receiving sexual health education, their experiences varied. Despite a high self-reported understanding of sexual health risks, sexual health outcomes were sub-optimal. This research highlights the potential beneficial effects of an exhaustive sexual health education on attitude, knowledge, and behaviours among adolescents to improve the long-term sexual health outcomes. Recommendations include designing programmes based on young people’s experiences of sexual education, reviewing current guidance and practices adding on key topics outside the main pillars of sexual education, increasing guidance and training for educational institutions and supporting RSE provisions in alliance with external educators and services. Disclosure Yes, this is sponsored by industry/sponsor: Reckitt. Clarification: Industry initiated, executed and funded study. Any of the authors act as a consultant, employee or shareholder of an industry for: Reckitt.