Abstract
BackgroundSexual Health and Relationships Education (SHRE) provides individuals with knowledge and skills to manage risky behaviors and take informed decisions to protect themselves against STIs, and unintended pregnancy. Only minimal SHRE is provided in Iranian schools and universities and previous research has highlighted needs and demands for improved SHRE and sexual services in Iran. This study explored young, Iranian adults’ experience of, and need for sexual health education, sexual skills training and sexual healthcare services, as well their views on how to augment and improve existing provision.Design and methodsSemi-structured interviews were conducted with a sample of 25 young adults who lived in Tehran, Iran and had volunteered to participate in the study. Transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis.ResultsParticipants explained their needs and demands for sexual health education and sexual healthcare. They unanimously expressed their dissatisfaction with available SHRE and sexual health care provision. They highlighted barriers to gaining sexual health information and seeking advice and healthcare, including a lack of reliable resources, taboo and cultural barriers, lack of trust and protected confidentiality. This has resulted in ambiguities and misconceptions, including those regarding the cause and transmission of STIs and correct use of contraceptives. Participants recommended improvements, including holding mixed-gender extracurricular workshops with a comprehensive approach to sexual health and relationships education.ConclusionsThere is a clear need and demand for provision of relevant and reliable sexual health and relationships education for young adults in Tehran. This should be addressed to empower young people to make informed choices and avoid risky sexual behavior.
Highlights
Sexual Health and Relationships Education (SHRE) provides individuals with knowledge and skills to manage risky behaviors and take informed decisions to protect themselves against sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and unintended pregnancy
Participants explained their needs and demands for sexual health education and sexual healthcare. They unanimously expressed their dissatisfaction with available SHRE and sexual health care provision
We found that poor sexual health knowledge has caused misconceptions, and young adults have turned to unreliable sources, including their friends and social media, to find answers
Summary
Sexual Health and Relationships Education (SHRE) provides individuals with knowledge and skills to manage risky behaviors and take informed decisions to protect themselves against STIs, and unintended pregnancy. Sexual health and relationship education (SHRE) can provide knowledge, motivation and skills to help people to, (i) understand the potential consequences of their sexual behavior, (ii) make informed decisions about sexual relationships, (iii) more comfortably communicate. A review of 85 SHRE interventions for young people aged 15–24, delivered in schools, community centers and health clinics in the United States of America (USA) as well as developing countries, concluded that these interventions were effective and that there was no evidence indicating that SHRE is associated with earlier or more frequent sexual encounters [28]. SHRE should promote “a state of physical, mental and social well-being in relation to sexuality... requiring a positive and respectful approach to sexuality and sexual relationships, as well as the possibility of having pleasurable and safe sexual experiences, free of coercion, discrimination and violence” (World Health Organization, n, d) [21]
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