Hape Inside - why do we need sexual health education in the schools? - Public Health Agency of Canada

Sexual Health Education

HAPE INSIDE - Sexual health is a key aspect of personal health and social welfare that influences individuals across their life span” (Public Health Agency of Canada, 2008, p. 2). Because sexual health is a key component of overall health and well-being, “Sexual health education should be available to all Canadians as an important component of health promotion and services” (Health Canada, 2003, p. 1). In principle, all Canadians, including youth, have a right to the information, motivation/personal insight, and skills necessary to prevent negative sexual health outcomes (e.g., sexually transmitted infections including HIV, unplanned pregnancy) and to enhance sexual health (e.g., positive selfimage and self-worth, integration of sexuality into mutually satisfying relationships).

Data from Statistics Canada shows that 65% of Canadian youth aged 18-19 have experienced sexual intercourse at least once (Rotermann, 2008), clearly indicating that most Canadians become sexually active during the teenage years. In order to ensure that youth are adequately equipped with the information, motivation/personal insight, and skills to protect their sexual and reproductive health, “it is imperative that schools, in cooperation with parents, the community, and health care professionals, play a major role in sexual health education and promotion” (Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada, 2004, p. 596).

As stated by the Public Health Agency of Canada (2008),

Since schools are the only formal educational institution to have meaningful (and mandatory) contact with nearly every young person, they are in a unique position to provide children, adolescents and young adults with the knowledge, understanding, skills, and attitudes they will need to make and act upon decisions that promote sexual health throughout their lives (p. 19).

As a fundamental part of its contribution to the development and well-being of youth, schoolbased sexual health education can play an important role in the primary prevention of significant sexual health problems. As documented in more detail elsewhere in this resource document, well-planned and implemented sexual health education programs are effective in helping youth reduce their risk of STI/HIV infection and unplanned pregnancy. In addition, it should be emphasized that an important goal of sexual health education is to provide education on broader aspects of sexual health including the development of a positive self-image and the integration of sexuality into rewarding and equitable interpersonal relationships (Public Health Agency of Canada, 2008).