Introducing comprehensive sexuality education in Italian schools: from the co-construction to the evaluation of a pilot intervention.
BMC Public Health
; 24(1): 2089, 2024 Aug 02.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-39095763
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
School-based comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) is a powerful tool that provides young people with information on all aspects of sexuality and is aimed at protecting their sexual and reproductive health and well-being throughout their lives. Currently, CSE is not integrated within the schools' curriculum in Italy. This study describes the co-construction, implementation, and evaluation of a CSE project piloted among students attending lower secondary schools, in four regions of Italy. Evidence-based evaluation will be helpful in promote the inclusion of CSE programs in the Italian schools' curriculum.METHODS:
The pilot scheme was co-constructed by a multidisciplinary curriculum development group through a Delphi process, including educators who conducted the activities. The evaluation followed three directions the program (based on a literature review of CSE principles and recommended characteristics), implementation (assessing the execution of the program through the analysis of the reflection tools used by the educators), and short-term outcomes (assessing critical thinking and conscious behavioural choices through pre-post and satisfaction surveys).RESULTS:
The main goal, learning modules and content were defined and structured in five interventions with the students, and two with families and teachers. A total of 638 students were involved in the activity, across 11 schools. Data analysis of pre/post surveys reported a significant increase in knowledge in 12 of the 15 items investigated (p < 0.05), and a high level of satisfaction with the topics addressed. Qualitative analysis added information on the pivotal role of educators in CSE.CONCLUSIONS:
The national piloting of this educational activity provided positive insights regarding the co-construction, implementation and short-outcome evaluation, suggesting potential for scalability and future inclusion of CSE in the curricula of Italian schools.Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Serviços de Saúde Escolar
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Educação Sexual
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Avaliação de Programas e Projetos de Saúde
/
Currículo
Limite:
Adolescent
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Female
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Humans
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Male
País/Região como assunto:
Europa
Idioma:
En
Revista:
BMC Public Health
/
BMC public health (Online)
Assunto da revista:
SAUDE PUBLICA
Ano de publicação:
2024
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Itália