Study Finds Sex Education Tool Improves Reproductive Health Knowledge Among Adolescent Girls
A Marshall University study found that a virtual sex education tool improved reproductive health knowledge scores and measures of self-efficacy among adolescent girls .
The findings , published in Sex Education , found that sexual health knowledge scores on a validated scale increased among participants , along with improved measures of self-efficacy regarding birth control , healthy relationships , and sexually transmitted infection ( STI ) prevention . Notably , a greater proportion of participants reported improved confidence in obtaining birth control , recognizing an unhealthy relationship , and testing for STIs . health knowledge among adolescent females ages 14 to 18 . Participants also answered questions about past experiences with school sex education programs and self-efficacy . They then completed the online curriculum available at marshallteentalk . org , which covers a range of sexual health topics presented through short , animated videos . A post-survey then reassessed participants ’ sexual health knowledge , along with the same measures of self-efficacy .
“ Marshall Teen Talk was designed specifically to provide local adolescents an accessible and accurate resource for reproductive health that they can trust ,” said Marshall Health Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecologist Jennie L . Yoost , MD , MSc , FACOG , an associate professor at the Joan C . Edwards School of Medicine and senior author of the study .
To view the article in its entirety , visit “ A virtual sex education tool improved reproductive health knowledge among adolescent girls ” by Roth et al ., https :// doi . org / 10.1080 / 14681811.2023.22 03909 .
Image : Jennie L . Yoost , MD , MSc , FACOG .
A research team at the Marshall University Joan C . Edwards School of Medicine conducted a baseline assessment of sexual
West Virginia Medical Journal • September 2023 • 15