The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the Department of Adolescent and School Health has established an evidence-based framework for what schools can do to help prevent HIV, STDs, and unintended pregnancy among those in the teenage years. This includes quality health education, a system that connects students to health services, and a supportive school environment. This brief focuses on providing good sexual health education – a systematic and effective way for schools to provide young people with knowledge and skills to reduce risky sexual behavior.
What is sexual health education?
A degree in sexual health provides students with the knowledge and skills to help them achieve good health and avoid the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), and unwanted pregnancy. sexual health education programs including health. sexual health education programs, appropriate education, and culturally relevant content that focuses on key behavioral outcomes and promotes healthy sexual development. This program is age-appropriate and aims at all levels to provide information about health risk behaviors and experiences. Sexual health education should be based on scientific research and best practices; reflect the diversity of student experiences and identities; and align with school, family and community issues.
Effective sexual health education programs share many characteristics. These programs:
- Teaching is provided by qualified and trained teachers and school staff.
- Use strategies that are appropriate and engaging for all students
- Meet the health needs of all students, including women, gay, bisexual, transgender, and youth needs.
- Connect students to sexual health and other health services at school or in the community
- Involve parents, families and community partners in school activities
- Develop healthy relationships between youth and adults.
How can schools provide sexual health education?
The school’s health education program includes a good SHE program that focuses on developing the knowledge and skills necessary to improve health habits and avoid risks. It is important that this is well connected with skill development. Giving students time to practice, analyze, and reflect on the skills taught in the program helps them develop independence, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills to avoid HIV, STDs, and pregnancy and – don’t want. A good sexual health education program teaches students how to:
- Examining family, peer and media influences on health
- Access to safe and reliable health information, products and services (HIV/STD testing)
- Discuss health issues with family, peers and teachers
- Make wise decisions about your health
- Take responsibility for yourself and others to improve your health.
What are the benefits of providing sexual health education to students?
Promoting and implementing a well-designed sexual health education program affects students’ health in many ways. Students who participate in these programs can:
- Delay the initiation of sex
- Have less sex
- Have some experience with unprotected sex
- Increase their use of protection, especially condoms
- Improve their academic performance.
As well as providing knowledge and skills to deal with sexual behavior, the SHE program can be adapted to include information about extreme alcohol consumption*, suicide prevention and how to prevent students from acting or becoming violent – behavior and experience engages young people. risk of poor health and poor academic performance.