Sexuality education in a representative sample of Portuguese schools: Examining the impact of legislation

Abstract

Objectives To share Portugal's experience with school-based sexuality education, and to describe its implementation at a local level, following an ecological model and using a mixed methodology approach. The study also examines the impact of the latest policies put into effect, identifying potential weaknesses and strengths affecting the effectiveness of sexuality education enforcement.

Methods A representative sample of 296 schools in Portugal was analysed. Teachers representing the school completed a questionnaire and were asked to share any kind of official document from their sexuality education project (such as curriculum content). A subsample of these documents was analysed by two coders. Quantitative analysis was carried out using descriptive statistics.

Results The majority of Portuguese schools delivered sexuality education, in line with Portuguese technical guidelines and international recommendations. There were common procedures in planning, implementation and evaluation of sexuality education. Some strengths and weaknesses were identified. Results highlighted the impact of the various systems on the planning, enforcement and evaluation of sexuality education in school.

Conclusions The latest policies introduced valuable changes in school-based sexuality education. A way of assessing effectiveness of sexuality education is still needed.

Chinese Abstract

摘要 本文的目的是分享葡萄牙以学校为基础的性教育的经验，运用生态学模型和混合的方法叙述了在地区级的实施。研究也调查了最近的政策实施的影响，辨别潜在的影响性教育执行效果的优势和弱点。

方法 分析了葡萄牙学校296个代表性样品。代表学校的教师完成调查问卷并且被要求分享任何一种性教育项目的正式文件（例如课程内容）。这些文件的子样本用两个编码器分析。用描述统计学进行定量分析。

结果 根据葡萄牙的技术指南和国际建议，大部分的葡萄牙学校实施了性教育。在规划，实施和评价性教育上都有共同的程序。辨别优势和弱点。结果突出强调了学校性教育的规划，执行和评估的不同系统的影响。

结论 最新的政策介绍了以学校为基础性教育有价值的变化。仍然需要一种评价性教育效果的方法。

Keywords:

• Sexuality education
• Legislation
• Portugal
• Schools
• Ecological model

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and the writing of the paper.

This work was supported by the Foundation for Science and Technology, Portugal [SFRH/BD/ 74347/2010].