TY  - UNPB
ID  - pittir34314
UR  - http://d-scholarship-dev.library.pitt.edu/34314/
A1  - Gossard, Emma S
Y1  - 2018/06/28/
N2  - Introduction: Comprehensive Sex Education is relevant to public health in that it contributes to positive sexual and reproductive health outcomes among adolescents. Pennsylvania schools are not required to provide students with any sex education, though they must provide information about HIV and STDs and are required to stress abstinence. As a formative element of a larger needs assessment, the purpose of this work is to understand the sexual health education experiences and needs of adolescents in Allegheny County, as well as their recommendations for improving sexual health education and services. 
Methodology: In this qualitative study, semi-structured focus groups were conducted with eighteen adolescents recruited through community organizations. Focus groups were recorded and transcribed, and data was analyzed for key themes using initial and focused coding methods.
Results: Most adolescents found their sex education to be lacking, and believed that subpar sex education impacts health outcomes. However, participant experiences differed according to the schools they attended. Participants recommended that school-based sex education be improved by covering more topics, using a student-centered framework, and facilitating a school culture of openness. Participants also suggested that schools provide them with condoms and that community organizations increase advertising and outreach to their demographic. Additionally, participants indicated that stigma associated with sexual health impacts the flow of information in schools. 
Conclusion: Findings suggest that both school and community organizations can improve the sexual health education and services that they provide to adolescents. Community organizations in particular will use these results to build upon their existing sexual health education programming and services and better serve adolescents in Allegheny County and to advocate for improved state and local sex education policy and implementation.
KW  - sex education
KW  -  comprehensive sex education
KW  -  adolescent sex education
KW  -  adolescent health
KW  -  sexual health
KW  -  sexual health education
KW  -  comprehensive sexual health education
KW  -  adolescent sexual health
TI  - ?They?re messing up our future because we need to learn these things?: a qualitative exploration of sexual health education experiences of Allegheny County adolescents
EP  - 77
AV  - public
ER  -