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Sexual Health Knowledge of Students at a High School in Nova Scotia

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Abstract

Purpose: In the context of a community development project related to adolescent sexual health, this study was carried out at Amherst Regional High School (ARHS) in Amherst, Nova Scotia, to assess students’ sexual health knowledge, gender differences in knowledge, and associations between knowledge and sexual behaviours.

Methods: A 29-item scale assessed knowledge in five areas of sexual health. Gender differences in correct responses to questions were compared. Overall knowledge scores were compared by gender, grade, and sexual activity, and tested for association with sexual behaviours.

Results: Of 796 students, 80% participated. Sexual health knowledge scores were highest for sexually active females. Higher score was associated with oral contraceptive use and later sexual debut. Knowledge was highest for HIV/AIDS. Students were insufficiently aware of their right to patient confidentiality.

Conclusions: ARHS students lack knowledge in some sexual health areas. School programs should consider these findings, and work to improve school-based sexual health education.

Résumé

Objectif: Cette étude a été réalisée à l’école se-condaire régionale d’Amherst, en Nouvelle-écosse, dans le cadre d’un projet de développement communautaire concernant la santé sexuelle des adolescents, afin d’évaluer les connaissances des étudiants en matière de santé sexuelle, les différences dans les connaissances entre les deux sexes, et les associations entre les connaissances et les comportements sexuels.

Méthodes: Une échelle comprennant 29 critères a permis d’évaluer les connaissances dans cinq domaines de la santé sexuelle. On a comparé les réponses correctes aux questions des garçons et des filles. Les résultats d’ensemble ont été comparés selon le sexe, l’année d’étude et l’activité sexuelle, en plus de les évaluer par rapport aux comportements sexuels.

Résultats: Sur 796 étudiants, le taux de participation a été de 80%. Pour ce qui est des connaissances de la sant’e sexuelle, les filles sexuellement actives ont eu les résultats les plus élevés. On a constaté une association entre les résultats élevés et l’utilisation d’un contraceptif oral ainsi qu’une initiation sexuelle plus tardive. Les résultats ont été les plus élevés s’agissant des connaissances relatives au VIH et au sida. Il est apparu que les étudiants n’étaient pas suffisamment au courant de leurs droits en matière de confidentialité du patient.

Conclusion: Les étudiants de l’école d’Amherst manquent de connaissances dans certains domaines de la santé sexuelle. Les programmes scolaires devraient prendre en compte ces résultats et s’efforcer d’améliorer l’éducation sexuelle faite dans les écoles.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Community Health and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, 5849 University Avenue, Halifax, NS, B3H 4H7, Canada

    D. B. Langille MD & P. Andreou MSc

  2. School of Health and Human Performance, Faculty of Health Professions, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada

    R. P. Beazley EdD

  3. Department of Psychology, Mount Saint Vincent University, Halifax, NS, Canada

    M. E. Delaney PhD

Authors
  1. D. B. Langille MD
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  2. P. Andreou MSc
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  3. R. P. Beazley EdD
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  4. M. E. Delaney PhD
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to D. B. Langille MD.

Additional information

This research was supported by the National Health Research and Development Program of Health Canada, Project # 6603-1474-201

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Langille, D.B., Andreou, P., Beazley, R.P. et al. Sexual Health Knowledge of Students at a High School in Nova Scotia. Can J Public Health 89, 85–89 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03404394

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03404394

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