Matching Public Health Services with the Sexual and Reproductive Health Information Needs of Youth Anno 2021

Abstract

For young people enrolled in lower levels of education, improvements to sexuality education and programs provided by the public health organization are required. This group is more at risk for sexual risk behaviour and more difficult to reach with sexual health programs. Therefore, this paper investigates how sexual health programs can be designed to match the sexual information needs of youth in lower levels of education. Fourteen semi-structured interviews with young people enrolled in lower levels of education were conducted and analysed using an inductive analysis approach. The following themes were identified: Young people 1) want a trustful educator, 2) want to be triggered, 3) receive most of their information from parents, 4) are confident they can find anything on the internet, and 5) do not feel the need to know about public health organizations. It is clear from the results that big improvements can be made regarding sexuality education and sexual health prevention programs. With extra attention for the timing of sexuality education, level education and different actors in young people’s lives. In general, different approaches should be used for sexual health programs for young people. This research shows promising results and should be taken to a larger level.