The development of an evidence based schools sex education programme for AIDS WEST

Siobhán O’Higgins

PhD

The aim of the study was to facilitate young Irish people, through the Participative Research Process (PRP), to generate, collate and present their views on effective sex education without adult filtering or censure. PRP predicated on the ideals of participative research The study took young people as experts in their own lives.

Children in Irish society are not accustomed to having their views taken into account either at home or at school (Lynch, 1998; O’Quigley, 2000).

Involving children in a participative process gives us insights into “

childhood in the present tense

” (McAuley & Brattman, 2002).

Siobhán O’Higgins 29 th November 2010

Need analysis

There were 3 phases to the research Phase 1 and 3 were the shoulders on which Phase 2 (the main study) rested. Siobhán O’Higgins 29 th November 2010

Phase 1

405 respondents Participants’ age ranged from 18 to 30 years (mode = 19), 49% male The described themselves as predominantly sexually active (89.3%), with sexual debut at 17 and 74% practised safer sex the last time they had sexual intercourse. In terms of educational level 89% attended third level colleges and 11% were attending Educational Centres for those who left school early without a Leaving Certificate.

Data generated Issue Cards for main part of study

Siobhán O’Higgins 29 th November 2010

Phase 2

Initial consultation with Transition Year students The protocol developed organically during seven months 14 post-primary schools 394 students aged 15-18years (mode 16 years, n= 257). 63% female and 37% male 87% under the legal age for sexual intercourse, i.e. under 17 years Total of 136 small groups worked with the data, of these 53% were girls groups, 30% were boys groups and 17% mixed groups. Siobhán O’Higgins 29 th November 2010

School Institute Name to go here

School Institute Name to go here

Results of Phase 2

The young people produced and presented ideas on how to improve the content and delivery of Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) 58 different Webs Condoms Skills and Contraceptive Knowledge Sexual Confidence Negative Consequences – STI and pregnancy prevention Information and Sex Education Outside Educators Relationships The PRP has power (of children) at its centre

Real life stories Quizzes Up to data facts and figures Let us practice put condoms on bananas Start at a younger age Discussions Tell us everything - honestly Young people’s ideas for sex education How to have sex successfully Role plays How do you know if you are in love?

Not with a teacher

Phase 3

Phase 3 two PRP workshops with 26 RSE teachers to explore what they would need to use the students ideas in sex education classes.

RSE teachers : want more training believe in the value of outside facilitators delivering some of the programme need more direction from the Department of Education and Science as to what they are allowed to teach. Siobhán O’Higgins 29 th November 2010

Acknowledgements

All the young people who have participated in the research, their parents and schools The Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs Dr. Saoirse Nic Gabhainn and Dr. Jane Sixsmith originators of the Participative Research Process AIDS WEST Siobhán O’Higgins 29 th November 2010

Siobhán O’Higgins 19 October 2010