Anjali Shekar1, Abby Gross2, Ellen Luebbers2, Jesse Honsky3. 1. Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio. Electronic address: anjali.shekar@case.edu. 2. Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio. 3. Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio.
Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVE: We aim to explore the impact of an interprofessional graduate student-led sexual education curriculum on sexual self-efficacy, perceived importance of sexual consent, and willingness to intervene against sexual violence in the high-risk population of detained youths. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Medical, nursing, social work, and physician assistant students implemented a 3-session, comprehensive sexual health curriculum for detained youths (n = 253). INTERVENTIONS AND MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The curriculum from Son et al (2017) was adapted to include a more targeted curriculum on consent and safe relationships. Youths completed pre- and postintervention assessments that evaluated their sexual self-efficacy and violence-related beliefs and behaviors. RESULTS: Detained youths completing the curriculum showed statistically significant increases in the sexual self-efficacy (P < .001), view of the importance of consent (P < .001), and willingness to intervene (P = .0027). The subset of male individuals and adolescents aged 17-19 years achieved statistically significant improvement in each category; adolescents aged 12-14 years did not. Female participants showed statistically significant improvement in sexual self-efficacy scores only. CONCLUSIONS: The curriculum addressing topics of consent and sexual violence was effective in improving detained youths' belief in their ability to safely navigate a sexual encounter and their attitudes toward sexual assault. Additional research on gender- and age-specific programming and the long-term impact on sexual health risk behaviors is needed.
STUDY OBJECTIVE: We aim to explore the impact of an interprofessional graduate student-led sexual education curriculum on sexual self-efficacy, perceived importance of sexual consent, and willingness to intervene against sexual violence in the high-risk population of detained youths. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Medical, nursing, social work, and physician assistant students implemented a 3-session, comprehensive sexual health curriculum for detained youths (n = 253). INTERVENTIONS AND MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The curriculum from Son et al (2017) was adapted to include a more targeted curriculum on consent and safe relationships. Youths completed pre- and postintervention assessments that evaluated their sexual self-efficacy and violence-related beliefs and behaviors. RESULTS: Detained youths completing the curriculum showed statistically significant increases in the sexual self-efficacy (P < .001), view of the importance of consent (P < .001), and willingness to intervene (P = .0027). The subset of male individuals and adolescents aged 17-19 years achieved statistically significant improvement in each category; adolescents aged 12-14 years did not. Female participants showed statistically significant improvement in sexual self-efficacy scores only. CONCLUSIONS: The curriculum addressing topics of consent and sexual violence was effective in improving detained youths' belief in their ability to safely navigate a sexual encounter and their attitudes toward sexual assault. Additional research on gender- and age-specific programming and the long-term impact on sexual health risk behaviors is needed.