Sexual Health Education in Primary and Secondary Schools of the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) Catchment Area: A Survey and Needs Assessment of School Principals

The Canadian Guidelines for Sexual Health Education states that “sexual health is a key aspect of personal health and social welfare that influences individuals across their lifespan”. Multiple studies show that sexual health education programs help to prevent negative sexual health outcomes such as sexually transmitted infections and unplanned pregnancies. The objectives of this study are to determine:(1)If sexual health education programs are available to youth in our region;(2)If the structure and content of sexual health education programs are following Canadian guidelines for sexual health education;(3)The qualification and level of comfort of instructors teaching sexual health education;(4)The need for additional resources for educators and students. An observational, non-interventional study was conducted. School principals of seven different school boards in CHEO’s catchment area were asked to complete an anonymous, self-administered, Internet-based survey. REB approval was granted. The primary outcome assessed was the evaluation of the material being taught for sexual health education in primary and secondary schools in CHEO’s catchment area. Our survey collected data on the structure of sexual health education programs, program content, and instructor qualifications. The secondary outcome assessed the need for additional resources based on the challenges faced by instructors. Seven school boards were contacted to participate in the study. One school board accepted to participate. The school board distributed the survey to their thirty-two schools, of which, 90.6% (29/32) accepted to participate and 84.3% (27/32) completed the survey. The person responsible for sexual health education was the physical education teacher (89%). The majority of schools offer sexual health education programs, formal training for instructors and their instructors are comfortable teaching the subject matter (Table 1). Four of the five schools did not discuss contraception despite their instructors stating being comfortable discussing the topic. Similarly, three of the four respondents whose school did not discuss contraception felt that their instructors were comfortable discussing the topic. It is unclear why these topics are not being taught. Finally, sixty percent of respondents indicated interest in receiving educational workshops for their school.Table 1YesNoUnknownOffered sexual health education programs85.2% (23/27)14.8% (4/27)Formal training for instructors33.3% (9/27)33.3% (9/27)33.3% (9/27)Instructor feels comfortable teaching sexual health education51.9% (14/27)14.8% (4/27)33.3% (9/27) Open table in a new tab Sexual health education programs offered in primary and secondary schools in CHEO’s catchment area are facing many challenges and do not follow the established Canadian guidelines. Further studies are needed to determine barriers and enablers allowing successful integration of sexual education in these schools. Supplementary workshops given by medical health professionals could be beneficial for elementary and secondary school students in order to reduce adverse sexual health outcomes.