Delivery of Sex and Relationship Education in schools, access to on-site sexual health services and free condoms

This study carried out by a team of researchers from DECIPHer at Cardiff University, investigated how the sexual health outcomes of a representative sample of students aged 15-16 in Wales vary according to the person delivering SRE in schools, students’ access to on-site sexual health services and access to free condoms.

Data from students that took part in the 2015/2016 School Health Research Network questionnaire in Wales was analysed.  The data was collected from across 59 schools, totalling 3781 students aged 15-16 who responded to questions about ever having had sex; age of sexual initiation and condom use at last intercourse.

School level data was also collected, examining who delivers school SRE, provision of on-site, school ‘drop-in’ sexual health services and provision of free condoms for students.

Making SRE a statutory part of the curriculum and ensuring comprehensive, sex-positive and stage appropriate content is essential to improving young people’s sexual behaviour and sexual health outcomes.

The success of any SRE taught in schools may be largely dependent on the educator delivering the SRE programme. This research suggests that SRE delivery by specialist SRE/health education teachers, school nurses and outside agencies are associated with positive sexual health outcomes when compared to teachers, and supports existing research which indicates that young people prefer non-teacher SRE delivery – as someone other than a classroom teacher may alter the classroom dynamic in ways which are likely to make young people more receptive to the topic.

The findings also inform the need to continue funding for, and coordination of on-site sexual health advice services in schools. The team highlight the importance of exploring in more detail the barriers to young people’s engagement with sexual health services on school sites, and the need to work with schools to ensure that young people’s access needs are met and that schools promote sex-positive environments.

For further information on the research visit: https://academic.oup.com/eurpub/article/28/2/309/4638449  / http://www.shrn.org.uk