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Kumar MM, Lim R, Langford C, et al. Sexual knowledge of Canadian adolescents after completion of high school sexual education requirements. Paediatr Child Health. 2013;18(2):74-80
Kumar, M. M., Lim, R., Langford, C., Seabrook, J. A., Speechley, K. N., & Lynch, T. (2013). Sexual knowledge of Canadian adolescents after completion of high school sexual education requirements. Paediatrics & child health, 18(2), 74-80.
Kumar, Maya M, et al. "Sexual knowledge of Canadian adolescents after completion of high school sexual education requirements." Paediatrics & child health vol. 18,2 (2013): 74-80.
Kumar MM, Lim R, Langford C, Seabrook JA, Speechley KN, Lynch T. Sexual knowledge of Canadian adolescents after completion of high school sexual education requirements. Paediatr Child Health. 2013 Feb;18(2):74-80. PMID: 24421660; PMCID: PMC3567900.
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Paediatr Child Health. 2013 Feb;18(2):74-80.

Sexual knowledge of Canadian adolescents after completion of high school sexual education requirements.

Paediatrics & child health

Maya M Kumar, Rodrick Lim, Cindy Langford, Jamie A Seabrook, Kathy N Speechley, Timothy Lynch

Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry; London, Ontario.
  2. Department of Pediatrics, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry; London, Ontario ; Pediatric Emergency Medicine, London Health Sciences Centre; London, Ontario ; Children's Health Research Institute, University of Western Ontario; London, Ontario.
  3. Pediatric Emergency Medicine, London Health Sciences Centre; London, Ontario ; Children's Health Research Institute, University of Western Ontario; London, Ontario.
  4. Department of Pediatrics, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry; London, Ontario ; Children's Health Research Institute, University of Western Ontario; London, Ontario.
  5. Department of Pediatrics, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry; London, Ontario ; Children's Health Research Institute, University of Western Ontario; London, Ontario ; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, London, Ontario.

PMID: 24421660 PMCID: PMC3567900

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Formal sexual education is a mandatory component of the high school curriculum in most Canadian provinces. The present study was a preliminary assessment of sexual knowledge among a sample of Ontario adolescents who had completed their high school sexual education requirements.

METHODS: A questionnaire, testing understanding of the learning objectives of Ontario's minimally required high school sexual education course, was distributed in a paediatric emergency department to 200 adolescent patients who had completed the course.

RESULTS: Respondents demonstrated good understanding of pregnancy physiology and sexually transmitted infections, but poor understanding of concepts related to reproductive physiology, contraception, HIV/AIDS and sexual assault. Most respondents could not identify Canada's age of sexual consent.

CONCLUSIONS: Respondents demonstrated concerning gaps in sexual knowledge despite completion of their sexual education requirements. Further studies must determine whether a representative, population-based student sample would exhibit similar findings. Sexual education currently offered in Ontario may require investigation.

Keywords: Adolescent; Canada; Health; Sex education

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