How they got it and how they wanted it: marginalised young people's perspective on their experiences of sexual health education

Abstract

Young people in Australia are at greatest risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections, and priority actions are necessary for this population group. This study of marginalised and at-risk young people in out-of-school environments was conducted in Western Australia with the aim of obtaining young people's perceptions about their experience of sexual health education and preferred means of gaining sexual health knowledge and skills. A participatory research methodology was implemented through a series of workshops with 88 young people recruited through community youth agencies. The results of the study support what is already known about sexual health promotion for young people and the importance of a holistic approach to promoting positive relationships and sexual health. However, the findings emphasise that this should include the need for demonstrated trust, confidence and safe environments, and the complementary role of community youth agencies and peer-based programmes which may play an important role in reaching young people who may disengage with, or not be reached by school-based sexual health education.

Keywords:

• young people
• sexual health
• education
• sexually transmitted infections

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge Western Australia's young people, without whose dedication and participation this youth consultation could not have commenced, and the Reference Group for all their contributions and support to this research. They also wish to thank the Sexual Health and Blood Borne Virus Program, Department of Health Western Australia, for providing funding for this project.

Notes

^1. Promoting Adolescent Sexual Health (PASH) is a peer education programme aimed at teaching adolescents about sexual health, contraception and risk-taking behaviours and developing their communication and assertiveness skills. In general, the programme is offered to Year 9 girls and Year 10 boys (age 14–15) and provides a safe environment for participants to engage in learning more about the sexual health of adolescents, and to explore their own feelings and experiences without being judged by others (Family Planning Western Australia 2000).