programmes. wider forces, such and a positive and programme or ‘structural’ as socioeconomic disadvantage open view of sex and Contraceptive a co-ordinated and social exclusion, may be sexuality. services. approach OR more difficult to address in a is Children and service setting, although these Sustained programmes young adults factors are likely to be key in should: nationally effecting long-term change. • when focusing on a single on an ad-hoc However, interventions to aspect of sex education, such improve the quality and basis as information about responsiveness of services with contraception, provide links the aim of preventing adverse to relevant support services outcomes demonstrate (e.g. family planning effectiveness. General services); strategies are likely to • be clearly thought through, have a longer term based on theory, evidence of influence on conception rates, effectiveness and local needs but teenage pregnancy and assessment; parenthood is a highly complex • improve mainstream area and recent evidence provision, as well as identify indicates that programmes to and target local vulnerable groups, such as school address it need to be or teenagers in addressing the low-income families; individual, social and economic • know and use the local factors involved. context to inform work; • include active learning techniques, such as groupwork, discussion and role play;
programmes. Contraceptive services. Children and young adults wider ‘structural’ forces, such as socioeconomic disadvantage and social exclusion, may be more difficult to address in a service setting, although these factors are likely to be key in effecting long-term change. However, interventions to improve the quality and responsiveness of services with the aim of preventing adverse outcomes demonstrate effectiveness. General strategies are likely to have a longer term influence on conception rates, but teenage pregnancy and parenthood is a highly complex area and recent evidence indicates that programmes to address it need to be addressing the individual, social and economic factors involved. and a positive and open view of sex and sexuality. Sustained programmes should: • when focusing on a single aspect of sex education, such as information about contraception, provide links to relevant support services (e.g. family planning services); • be clearly thought through, based on theory, evidence of effectiveness and local needs assessment; • improve mainstream provision, as well as identify and target local vulnerable groups, such as school or teenagers in low-income families; • know and use the local context to inform work; • include active learning techniques, such as groupwork, discussion and role play; programme or a co-ordinated approach OR is nationally on an ad-hoc basis
Sexual%20health%20Evidence%20Review%20Final.docx