Developing and Establishing School-Based Sexual Health Services

Abstract

School-based sexual health clinics are emerging as one of the key ways to promote sexual health among young people, and school nurses play an important role in developing and delivering these services. This study used a qualitative design to explore the experiences of health professionals and policy makers involved in setting up such services in U.K. schools. It presents the internationally transferable messages from this study for school nurses. Particularly, the ways in involving young people in developing and evaluating services, dealing with social and parental objections, and building alliances with school staff are important aspects of working in this important but socially sensitive area of school health. It also explores how sexual health services can be branded and marketed and highlights some of the barriers and facilitators for developing successful school-based or school-linked sexual health clinics.