Adolescent pregnancy rates in industrialized nations differ considerably. Face-to-face, semi-structured interviews focusing on adolescent pregnancy prevention were conducted with 75 key informants (clinicians, politicians, public health administrators, social and behavioral scientists and anti-abortion activists) in Great Britain, the Netherlands, Sweden and the United States. Inductive, systematic qualitative analysis was performed on verbatim transcripts of the interviews. Respondents from all four countries identified sexuality education as a prevention strategy. Delivery methods seemed to differ considerably among the countries; respondents from Sweden were unique in reporting routine class trips to family planning clinics. Sexuality education in the Netherlands and Sweden appeared to be more widespread, to occur in a more open and clearly supportive environment and to be more likely to include instruction about sexually transmitted infections, condoms and contraception than in Great Britain or the United States. Respondents from Great Britain and the United States reported restrictions on sexuality education and public concern that sexuality education leads to sexual activity in young people. In all countries, respondents reported that parents have the right to remove their children from sexuality education classes, although few do so. Finally, respondents from all countries indicated the need for improvement and suggested a variety of changes. Overall, the debate seemed to be more heated and the quality of sexuality education appeared to be lower in the United States and Great Britain than in the Netherlands and Sweden. Implications for the provision of school-based sexuality education in the United States were examined.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant will be able to 1. Articulate the role sexuality education may play in adolescent pregnancy in industrialized nations. 2. Identify the following characteristics of sexuality education in the United States, Great Britain, Sweden and the Netherlands: prevalence, content, delivery methods, support and effects. 3. Discuss changes that could be made to sexuality education in the United States based on sexuality education experiences in Great Britain, the Netherlands and Sweden
Keywords: Teen Pregnancy, Education
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: none
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.