Analysis of content about sexuality and human reproduction in school textbooks in Spain
Autor: | J. de Irala, C. López del Burgo, I. Gómara Urdiain |
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Rok vydání: | 2008 |
Předmět: |
Safe Sex
Textbooks as Topic animal structures Adolescent education Human sexuality Sex Education Reproductive technology Life skills law.invention Condom law Humans Medicine Teenage pregnancy Medical education Schools business.industry Public Health Environmental and Occupational Health General Medicine humanities Spain Content analysis Family planning business Sexuality |
Zdroj: | Public Health. 122:1093-1103 |
ISSN: | 0033-3506 |
DOI: | 10.1016/j.puhe.2008.01.005 |
Popis: | Summary Objectives The spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) inadolescents and teenage pregnancy rates are increasing. A decrease in the average age of youth's first sexual experience has also been noted. Sexual education programmes in schools have an important role to play in addressing these issues. The objective of this study was to analyse the content of textbooks in the areas of sexuality and human reproduction in order to evaluate the extent to which these textbooks promote healthy reproductive lifestyles, as well as avoidance of risk behaviour among adolescent students. Study design Descriptive study of the content of school textbooks. Methods The study sample consisted of 12 textbooks (approximately 80% of all the textbooks used in Spanish secondary schools) which were edited in 2002. Content analysis evaluated the extent to which these books demonstrated reliable scientific information about: (a) condom effectiveness; (b) consequences, prevention and treatment of STIs; (c) family planning methods; (d) assisted reproductive technologies; and (e) the promotion of healthy reproductive lifestyles. Results All textbooks presented inaccurate information in the areas studied. One hundred and fifty one quotes were identified that facilitated incomplete perception of sexuality or risky behaviour. On average, 12.6 incorrect messages were identified in each textbook. Conclusions The textbooks examined are neither appropriate nor sufficiently comprehensive for adolescent education on issues of sexuality. Results suggest a need for alternative textbooks based on better scientific evidence. It is essential that textbooks empower adolescents to make healthy decisions through the promotion of useful life skills that provide a more integrated concept of sexuality. There is a need for approaches to sexual education to integrate values commonly held by parents of the youth that use such texts. |
Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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