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Evaluation of the parents as primary sexuality educators program.
Jonathan D Klein1, Premini Sabaratnam, Beatriz Pazos
1Division of Adolescent Medicine, Strong Children's Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Rochester School of Medicine, Rochester, New York, USA. jonathan_klein@urmc.rochester.edu
Summary
A sexuality education program effectively boosted parents' confidence in discussing sensitive topics like sex, HIV/AIDS, and pregnancy with their children. This enhanced communication supports healthier adolescent decision-making regarding sexual behavior.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Family Studies
- Sexuality Education
Background:
- Parental communication about sex is crucial for adolescent sexual health.
- Gaps exist in parents' confidence and competence in discussing sexuality.
- Targeted interventions can empower parents in this role.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of the Parents as Primary Sexuality Educators program.
- To assess changes in parental confidence and competence in discussing sex and sexuality with children.
Main Methods:
- A quasi-experimental design involving 27 workshop series for parents in high-risk areas.
- Pre- and post-workshop surveys and a 10-week follow-up telephone survey were administered.
- 174 participants completed matched pre- and follow-up surveys.
Main Results:
- Participants reported increased perceived importance of discussing sexuality (83% vs. 75%, p < .01).
- Parents initiated more conversations on topics including HIV/AIDS, pregnancy, and sexual behavior standards.
- Comfort levels in discussing sensitive topics and answering children's questions significantly increased (p < .01).
Conclusions:
- The Parents as Primary Sexuality Educators program appears effective in improving parent-child communication about sexuality.
- Enhanced parental communication may contribute to adolescents making healthier sexual decisions.
- Supporting parents can positively influence adolescent sexual health outcomes.