Maya M Kumar1, Rodrick Lim2, Cindy Langford3, Jamie A Seabrook4, Kathy N Speechley5, Timothy Lynch2. 1. Department of Pediatrics, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry; London, Ontario. 2. Department of Pediatrics, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry; London, Ontario ; Pediatric Emergency Medicine, London Health Sciences Centre; London, Ontario ; Children's Health Research Institute, University of Western Ontario; London, Ontario. 3. Pediatric Emergency Medicine, London Health Sciences Centre; London, Ontario ; Children's Health Research Institute, University of Western Ontario; London, Ontario. 4. Department of Pediatrics, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry; London, Ontario ; Children's Health Research Institute, University of Western Ontario; London, Ontario. 5. Department of Pediatrics, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry; London, Ontario ; Children's Health Research Institute, University of Western Ontario; London, Ontario ; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, London, Ontario.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Formal sexual education is a mandatory component of the high school curriculum in most Canadian provinces. The present study was a preliminary assessment of sexual knowledge among a sample of Ontario adolescents who had completed their high school sexual education requirements. METHODS: A questionnaire, testing understanding of the learning objectives of Ontario's minimally required high school sexual education course, was distributed in a paediatric emergency department to 200 adolescent patients who had completed the course. RESULTS: Respondents demonstrated good understanding of pregnancy physiology and sexually transmitted infections, but poor understanding of concepts related to reproductive physiology, contraception, HIV/AIDS and sexual assault. Most respondents could not identify Canada's age of sexual consent. CONCLUSIONS: Respondents demonstrated concerning gaps in sexual knowledge despite completion of their sexual education requirements. Further studies must determine whether a representative, population-based student sample would exhibit similar findings. Sexual education currently offered in Ontario may require investigation.
BACKGROUND: Formal sexual education is a mandatory component of the high school curriculum in most Canadian provinces. The present study was a preliminary assessment of sexual knowledge among a sample of Ontario adolescents who had completed their high school sexual education requirements. METHODS: A questionnaire, testing understanding of the learning objectives of Ontario's minimally required high school sexual education course, was distributed in a paediatric emergency department to 200 adolescent patients who had completed the course. RESULTS: Respondents demonstrated good understanding of pregnancy physiology and sexually transmitted infections, but poor understanding of concepts related to reproductive physiology, contraception, HIV/AIDS and sexual assault. Most respondents could not identify Canada's age of sexual consent. CONCLUSIONS: Respondents demonstrated concerning gaps in sexual knowledge despite completion of their sexual education requirements. Further studies must determine whether a representative, population-based student sample would exhibit similar findings. Sexual education currently offered in Ontario may require investigation.
Entities:
Keywords:
Adolescent; Canada; Health; Sex education
Authors: Amanda Black; Diane Francoeur; Timothy Rowe; John Collins; Dianne Miller; Thomas Brown; Michèle David; Sheila Dunn; William A Fisher; Nathalie Fleming; Claude A Fortin; Edith Guilbert; Louise Hanvey; André Lalonde; Ruth Miller; Margaret Morris; Teresa O'Grady; Helen Pymar; Thirza Smith; Elke Henneberg Journal: J Obstet Gynaecol Can Date: 2004-04