A needs assessment in South Wales schools for a novel medical student‐led sex education programme

Abstract

The rationale behind using medical students as sexual health educators in light of current UK governmental policy agenda and research on effective interventions is described in this paper, which also examines the results of a cross‐sectional survey of the sexual health knowledge and attitude of 14–15 year‐olds in some South Wales schools. Major current sources of sexual health information include school, magazines and other young people. Young people are generally well informed about contraception but ill informed of contraceptive services while tending to have a negative attitude towards their utilisation. Reasons for this include insufficient information and education on services, inaccurate perceptions of the levels of confidentiality of services and embarrassment towards general practitioners. The implications of these results are discussed in the context of the development of an effective sexual health education programme using medical students as educators in South Wales secondary schools.

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Professor Alison Fiander for her essential input to the project, the schools involved and the other medical students undertaking the first ‘Sexpression’ special study module.