Sexuality Education- Understanding adolescents’ perspective

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47203/IJCH.2022.v34i01.016

Keywords:

Adolescents, Sexuality Education, Attitude, Pubertal Changes, Adolescent Education Program

Abstract

Introduction: Adolescence is very dynamic phase in life and if child is not able to cope up with the changes then the effects on health are lifelong. Evidence supporting role of holistic/ comprehensive sexuality education empowering children in this coping process is present. But still the controversies exists in all countries about either acceptance, content or delivery of the sexuality education. To make curriculum more acceptable, engaging and effective, it is very important to take into consideration adolescent’s perspective. In present study, we tried to understand felt need of adolescents about sexuality education. Objective: To understand need for sexuality education. Methods: The methods used were question box, self-administered questionnaire, and name the organs in blank human figure activity all in different set of students. Results: 48% questions were to seek scientific information but extent was up to enquiring about sex toys.12% about emotional changes, 11% about cultural norms,9% about romantic relationship and 6% to clear myths. The basic knowledge about human body, pubertal changes was poor, more so in girls. The attitude towards pubertal changes was mostly negative in girls, curious in boys. The inhibition in mentioning reproductive system organs was significant in both, indicating attitude. 98% were willing to have correct knowledge about the pubertal changes and effects on life. Conclusion: The comprehensive sexuality education is unmet need in India. Taking into consideration perspective of adolescents, it should contain scientific knowledge and other relevant topics.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Full Text PDF [Internet]. [cited 2021 Jun 10]. Available from: https://iris.paho.org/bitstream/10665.2/42416/1/promotionsexualhealth.pdf

Aggleton P, Campbell C. Working with young people - towards an agenda for sexual health. Sex Relatsh Ther. 2000;15(3):283–96.

https://doi.org/10.1080/14681990050109863

WHO_RHR_HRP_10.22_eng.pdf. Too few terms

Samadaee Gelehkolaee K, Maasoumi R, Azin SA, Nedjat S, Parto M, Zamani Hajiabadi I. Stakeholders' perspectives of comprehensive sexuality education in Iranian male adolescences. Reprod Health. 2021;18(1):26. doi:10.1186/s12978-021-01084-0

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12978-021-01084-0

Leung H, Shek DTL, Leung E, Shek EYW. Development of Contextually-relevant Sexuality Education: Lessons from a Comprehensive Review of Adolescent Sexuality Education Across Cultures. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2019;16(4):621. doi:10.3390/ijerph16040621

https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16040621

“They Think You Shouldn’t be Having Sex Anyway”: Young People’s Suggestions for Improving Sexuality Education Content | Request PDF [Internet]. [cited 2021 Jun 11]. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/240707230_'They_Think_You_Shouldn't_be_Having_Sex_Anyway'_Young_People's_Suggestions_for_Improving_Sexuality_Education_Content

https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230297630_3

Cense M, Grauw S de, Vermeulen M. “Sex Is Not Just about Ovaries.” Youth Participatory Research on Sexuality Education in The Netherlands. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020;17(22).

https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17228587

Hughes J, McCauley AP. Improving the fit: adolescents’ needs and future programs for sexual and reproductive health in developing countries. Stud Fam Plann. 1998;29(2):233–45.

https://doi.org/10.2307/172161

YCSRR_IND_UPR_S1_2008_YouthCoalitionforSexualandReproductiveRights_uprsubmission.pdf [Internet]. [cited 2022 Mar 11]. Available from: https://lib.ohchr.org/HRBodies/UPR/Documents/Session1/IN/YCSRR_IND_UPR_S1_2008_YouthCoalitionforSexualandReproductiveRights_uprsubmission.pdf

Athreye V. Sex Education In India: Sex education in schools is good or bad? - Education Blogs [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2021 Jun 11]. Available from: https://www.mapsofindia.com/my-india/education/why-is-sex-education-important-in-india

https://doi.org/10.1080/14681811.2011.595230

Organization PAH, Organization PAH, Sexology (WAS) WA for. Promotion of sexual health: recommendations for action. [cited 2021 Jun 10]; Available from: https://iris.paho.org/handle/10665.2/42416

Chandra-Mouli V, Gómez Garbero L, Plesons M, Lang I, Corona Vargas E. Evolution and Resistance to Sexuality Education in Mexico. Glob Health Sci Pract. 2018;6(1):137–49.

https://doi.org/10.9745/ghsp-d-17-00284

Nair MKC, Leena ML, George B, Thankachi Y, Russell PSS. ARSH 5: Reproductive health needs assessment of adolescents and young people (15-24 y): a qualitative study on “perceptions of community stakeholders.” Indian J Pediatr. 2013;80(2):S214-221.

https://doi.org/10.1007/s12098-013-1141-5

Arpita Das (2014) Sexuality education in India: examining the rhetoric, rethinking the future, Sex Education, 14:2, 210-224, DOI: 10.1080/14681811.2013.866546

https://doi.org/10.1080/14681811.2013.866546

Nair MKC, Leena ML, George B, Thankachi Y, Russell PSS. ARSH 6: Reproductive health needs assessment of adolescents and young people (15-24 y): a qualitative study on “perceptions of program managers and health providers. Indian J Pediatr. 2013 Nov;80 Suppl 2:S222-228.

https://doi.org/10.1007/s12098-013-1149-x

Adolescence and the Problems of Puberty| Psychology Today [Internet]. [cited 2021 Jun 10]. Available from: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/surviving-your-childs-adolescence/201004/adolescence-and-the-problems-puberty

PubMed entry [Internet]. [cited 2022 Mar 11]. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25374847

Assessing the conditions and quality of counselling related to sexuality and sexual health | Eldis [Internet]. [cited 2022 Mar 11]. Available from: https://www.eldis.org/document/A36736

Patterns and trends in sources of information about sex among young people in Britain: evidence from three National Surveys of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles| BMJ Open [Internet]. [cited 2022 Mar 11]. Available from: https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/5/3/e007834

https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2015-007834

NCERT [Internet]. [cited 2022 Mar 11]. Available from: https://ncert.nic.in/dess/aep.php

Sexuality & reproductive health education. 2014;9(1):109.

Saksena S, Saldanha S. Impact of a course on human sexuality and adolescence. Indian J Pediatr. 2003;70(3):203–6.

https://doi.org/10.1007/bf02725582

Sathe S. Knowledge and behaviour and attitudes about adolescent sexuality amongst adolescents in Pune: A situational analysis. J Fam Welf. 2005;51(1):49–59.

Full Text PDF [Internet]. [cited 2022 Mar 11]. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Sujita-Kar/publication/318393228_Sex_Education_In_India_Why_What_When_Where_Whom/links/5c1722e04585157ac1c7bf3c/Sex-Education-In-India-Why-What-When-Where-Whom.pdf

https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003228066-9

Sex Education in Schools [Internet]. CQ Researcher by CQ Press. [cited 2022 Mar 11]. p. 803–20. Available from: http://library.cqpress.com/cqresearcher/cqresrre1957103000

Pubertal Changes in Teenagers of Varanasi - A Spiritual City of India | Kaushalendra Kumar Singh - Academia.edu [Internet]. [cited 2021 Jun 14]. Available from: https://www.academia.edu/25073044/Pubertal_Changes_in_Teenagers_of_Varanasi_A_Spiritual_City_of_India?auto=download

9789241598484_eng.pdf [Internet]. [cited 2022 Mar 11]. Available from: http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/44178/9789241598484_eng.pdf;jsessionid=5CF5456A47DDC52B4A5D3BDE5CD674AC?sequence=1

Thirunavukarasu A, Simkiss D. Developments in Reproductive Health Education in India. J Trop Pediatr. 2013;59(4):255–7.

Nair MKC, Leena ML, Thankachi Y, George B, Russell PSS. ARSH 1: Reproductive and sexual health problems of adolescents and young adults: a cross sectional community survey on knowledge, attitude and practice. Indian J Pediatr. 2013;80 Suppl 2:S192-198.

https://doi.org/10.1007/s12098-013-1136-2

Ibáñez MA, Chiminazzo JGC, Sicilia Á, Fernandes PT. Examining the psychometric properties of the Body Appreciation Scale-2 in Brazilian adolescents. Psychol Soc Educ. 2017;9(3):505–15.

https://doi.org/10.25115/psye.v9i3.1101

Sinkkonen J, Anttila R, Siimes MA. Pubertal Maturation and Changes in Self-Image in Early Adolescent Finnish Boys. J Youth Adolesc. 1998;27(2):209–18.

https://doi.org/10.1023/a:1021615829788

8 Ridiculous Misconceptions About Sex Education in India | Youth Ki Awaaz [Internet]. [cited 2021 Jun 14]. Available from: https://www.youthkiawaaz.com/2015/03/sex-education-in-india

Adolescent Education Programme Facilitators Guide.pdf [Internet]. [cited 2022 Mar 11]. Available from: http://164.100.130.11:8091/webarsh/Resources%20on%20ARSH/Adolescent%20Education%20Programme%20Facilitators%20Guide.pdf

Coast E, Lattof SR, Strong J. Puberty and menstruation knowledge among young adolescents in low- and middle-income countries: a scoping review. Int J Public Health. 2019;64(2):293–304.

https://doi.org/10.1007/s00038-019-01209-0

Kirby D. The impact of schools and school programs upon adolescent sexual behavior. J Sex Res. 2002;39(1):27–33.

https://doi.org/10.1080/00224490209552116

Sex education is key to solving India’s sexual violence problem — Quartz India [Internet]. [cited 2022 Mar 11]. Available from: https://qz.com/india/1620684/sex-education-is-key-to-solving-indias-sexual-violence-problem/

Study on Child abuse: India 2007 [Internet]. Resource Centre. 2011 [cited 2022 Mar 11]. Available from: https://resourcecentre.savethechildren.net/library/study-child-abuse-india-2007

Kar S, Singh A, Prakash O, Tripathi A. Sex Education In India: Why, What, When, Where, Whom? In 2017.

Kumar R, Goyal A, Singh P, Bhardwaj A, Mittal A, Yadav SS. Knowledge Attitude and Perception of Sex Education among School Going Adolescents in Ambala District, Haryana, India: A Cross-Sectional Study. J Clin Diagn Res JCDR. 2017;11(3):LC01–4.

https://doi.org/10.7860/jcdr/2017/19290.9338

Parwej S, Kumar R, Walia I, Aggarwal AK. Reproductive health education intervention trial. Indian J Pediatr. 2005;72(4):287–91.

https://doi.org/10.1007/bf02724005

Ismail S, Shajahan A, Sathyanarayana Rao TS, Wylie K. Adolescent sex education in India: Current perspectives. Indian J Psychiatry. 2015;57(4):333–7.

https://doi.org/10.4103/0019-5545.171843

Benzaken T, Palep AH, Gill PS. Exposure to and opinions towards sex education among adolescent students in Mumbai: A cross-sectional survey. BMC Public Health. 2011;11(1):805.

https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-11-805

Ramadugu S, Ryali V, Srivastava K, Bhat PS, Prakash J. Understanding sexuality among Indian urban school adolescents. Ind Psychiatry J. 2011;20(1):49.

https://doi.org/10.4103/0972-6748.98416

Does your school has a balanced teacher gender ratio? [Internet]. Toppr Bytes. 2017 [cited 2022 Mar 11]. Available from: https://www.toppr.com/bytes/teacher-gender-ratio/

Halliwell E, Jarman H, Tylka T, Slater A. Adapting the Body Appreciation Scale-2 for Children: A psychometric analysis of the BAS-2C. Body Image. 2017;21:97–102.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2017.03.005

Singh BP, Singh G, Singh KK. Pubertal Changes in Teenagers of Varanasi- The Spiritual City of India.

Downloads

Published

2022-03-31

How to Cite

1.
Shiradkar S, Mahajan S. Sexuality Education- Understanding adolescents’ perspective. Indian J Community Health [Internet]. 2022 Mar. 31 [cited 2024 Oct. 16];34(1):82-8. Available from: https://iapsmupuk.org/journal/index.php/IJCH/article/view/2270

Issue

Section

Original Article

Dimensions Badge