‘Everyone knows everyone’: youth perceptions of relationships and sexuality education, condom access and health services in a rural town

ABSTRACT

Sexual health promotion and Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) are influenced by interrelated social and cultural factors, particularly in a rural setting. This paper reports on findings from interviews with young people when asked about experiences and perspectives accessing RSE and sexual health services in a small rural Australian town. Fifteen young people (16–24 years) participated in semi-structured focus groups and interviews. Data was analysed and coded with four key themes emerging: relevant and credible sexual health education; make it easy; GP accessibility; and discreet condom supply. The findings of this study have practical implications when addressing community level sexual health and RSE needs.

KEYWORDS:

• Rural
• sexual health
• relationships and sexuality education
• Australia

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This paper draws on elements of a supervised doctoral research project supported by the School of Public Health, Curtin University. This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.