Patterns and trends in sources of information about sex among young people in Britain: evidence from three National Surveys of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles

Abstract

ObjectiveTo assess progress in meeting young people's sex education needs in Britain by examining the current situation and changes over the past 20 years in sources of information about sexual matters and unmet information needs.DesignCross-sectional probability sample surveys.SettingBritish general population.Participants3869 men and women aged 16–24 years, interviewed 2010–2012 for the third National Survey of Sexual Attitudes & Lifestyles (Natsal-3), compared with 16–24 year-olds in Natsal-1 (1990–1991; 792 men and women) and Natsal-2 (1999–2001; 2673 men and women).Main outcome measuresReported source of information about sexual matters, unmet information needs and preferred source of additional information.ResultsBetween 1990 and 2012, the proportion citing school lessons as their main source of information about sexual matters increased from 28.2% (95% CI 24.6 to 32.1) to 40.3% (95% CI 38.6 to 42.1). In 2010–2012, parents were reported as a main source by only 7.1% (95% CI 5.8 to 8.7) of men and 14.1% (95% CI 12.6 to 15.7) of women and, for women, were less commonly reported than in 1999–2001 (21.7%; 95% CI 19.6 to 24.0). Most young people reported not knowing enough when they first felt ready for sexual experience (68.1% men, 70.6% women), and this did not change substantially over time. They wanted more information about psychosexual matters (41.6% men, 46.8% women), as well as sexually transmitted infections (27.8% men, 29.8% women) and, for women, contraception (27.5%). Young people primarily wanted this information from school, parents or health professionals.ConclusionsOver the past 20 years, young people have increasingly identified school lessons as their main source of information about sex, although they continue to report needing more information on a broad range of topics. The findings support the expressed need for improved sex and relationships education in schools alongside greater involvement of parents and health professionals.

Socio-cultural influences upon knowledge of sexually transmitted infections: a qualitative study with heterosexual middle-aged adults in Scotland

“…36 Several of the participants, particularly women, were made aware of STIs as parents, either through their children's STI-related experiences or being attuned to STI information. Evidence suggests that within the family, women are the main information providers of sex-related education for both boys and girls; 16,37 however, no published evidence was located suggesting that this information stream could also travel in the opposite direction.…”

“…These challenges are relevant to this cohort of parents, brought up prior to the advent of social media and for whom school-based sex education was limited compared to current provision for young people. 37 Analysis revealed limited application of knowledge in participants' accounts of their own sexual health, particularly regarding inaction following STI risks. This finding concurs with evidence from young people where the asymptomatic nature of chlamydia was often not understood, 38 highlighting for both age groups the knowledge gap between HIV and other STIs.…”

Adolescent pregnancy and school health nursing program for adolescent pregnancy prevention: a qualitative study

“…Actually teens crave information about sexuality from schools, parents and health professionals. 11 The other cause of adolescent pregnancy is less parental attention. According to teenagers, they feel less affection, still less attention and freedom for the teenagers from their parents.…”

Sources of Sex Information Used by Young British Women Who Have Sex with Women (WSW) and Women Who Have Sex Exclusively with Men (WSEM): Evidence from the National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles

“…In the context of Great Britain, Tanton et al's (2015) analysis of nationally representative data reveals that over the past two decades, there have been changes in what young people report as their main source of information about sex. For both young women and men, there has been a marked increase in 'lessons from school' forming young peoples' main source of information.…”

“…The literature reveals a diversity of formal and informal sources through which adolescents receive information about sex. These include parents, peers, mass media, school, and health professionals (Bleakley, Hennessy, Fishbein, & Jordon, 2009;Coffelt, 2017;Donaldson, Lindberg, Ellen, & Marcell, 2013;Powell, 2008;Sprecher, Harris, & Meyers, 2008;Stidham-Hall, Moreau, & Trussell, 2012;Tanton, Jones, Macdowall, Clifton, Mitchell, Datta, & Mercer, 2015;Whitfield, Jomeen, Hayter, & Gardiner, 2013).In the context of Great Britain, Tanton et al's (2015) analysis of nationally representative data reveals that over the past two decades, there have been changes in what young people report as their main source of information about sex. For both young women and men, there has been a marked increase in 'lessons from school' forming young peoples' main source of information.…”