227089 Sexuality Education Assessment of Colorado Schools

Monday, November 8, 2010 : 1:10 PM - 1:30 PM

Shannon Sainer, MSW , Colorado Organization on Adolescent Pregnancy, Parenting and Prevention, Denver, CO
David Salinas, MPH , JSI Research & Training Institute, Inc., Denver, CO
Christine Duclos, PhD, MPH , JSI Research & Training, Inc, Denver, CO
Stefanie Winfield, MSW , Colorado Organization on Adolescent Pregnancy, Parenting and Prevention, Denver
BACKGROUND: Little information exists on the content and delivery of sexuality and HIV prevention education in Colorado schools and less information on whether this education is science-based and medically accurate. This assessment aims to gain an understanding of the scope of this education and how a relatively new state law is implemented. METHODS: Methods included an online survey with staff from schools, school districts, and clinicians (n = 141); 12 telephone key informant interviews; and a review of 30 online school district sexuality and HIV/AIDS education policies. RESULTS: Overall, most school district participants reported delivering sexuality and HIV prevention education, yet felt education to be insufficient or incomplete. The school instruction was felt by most to be medically accurate, science-based, age-appropriate, and culturally-sensitive. However, in some cases, information on condoms and contraception use was not included. Likewise, participants were aware that written district policies are in place; yet there is little understanding of the definitions used within the policies or the state law. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: Critical inconsistencies were found in sexuality and HIV prevention education provided by Colorado schools, and thus the state law implementation. These inconsistencies could have a major impact on adolescent pregnancy and HIV preventive efforts.

Learning Areas:
Administer health education strategies, interventions and programs
Advocacy for health and health education
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs

Learning Objectives:
Participants in this workshop will be able to: Describe the methods for assessing sexuality education in Colorado Schools Describe the results from the assessment Describe the need for sexuality education in Colorado Schools

Keywords: Adolescent Health, Health Education

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am qualified to present because I helped created the report this presentation is based on.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Back to: 3238.0: Adolescent sex education