Perceptions of school-aged women in northeast Scotland on sex education: A focus group study

Abstract

Aim To investigate the current attitudes and behaviour of young women towards formal sex education and informal sources of sexual health advice. Method Qualitative research methods were adopted in the form of focus group discussions, which included questions on sex education, sexual health campaigns and informal sources of sexual health information and advice. The group interviews were recorded. A content analysis of the transcriptions was undertaken to identify the key themes and concepts. Results Five focus groups were conducted in formal secondary-school settings and one in a community education centre. In total 31 young women aged 16–18 years participated in the study. Results showed that participants viewed the delivery of sex education as outdated and often ineffective. Teachers are not deemed to be effective providers of sex education and external healthcare facilitators are preferred. The main sources of sexual health information and advice for young women are friends, older sisters and girls' magazines, with parents and school nurses generally regarded as poor sources. Current sexual health campaigns are ineffective in targeting young people, with many unable to report any that are running at present, or the messages they try to portray. Conclusions Young women view sexual intercourse as a normal activity for adolescents to partake in. This study suggests that those working in the health and education sectors should listen to the ideas and views of young people when planning and providing sexual health education, as the current provision of sex education is perceived to be ineffective by young people in fulfilling their needs.