Campus Location
Dallas Campus (Online)
Date of Award
7-2020
Document Type
DNP Project
Department
Nursing
Degree Name
Doctor of Nursing Practice
Committee Chair or Primary Advisor
Donna Atobajeun
Second Committee Member or Secondary Advisor
Catherine Garner
Third Committee Member or Committee Reader
Tonya Sawyer-McGee
Abstract
A small rural community has high incidence rates of chlamydia (4,751 per 100,000) and gonorrhea (970 per 100,000) in females 15–24 years old. Data obtained from Texas Health and Human Services showed that incidence rates of chlamydia and gonorrhea in females 15–24 years old were higher in Navarro County, Texas, than the state of Texas. Texas schools do not mandate sex health education. There is a gap in school-based sexual health education available to 18- and 19-year-old females residing in this rural community in Texas. The purpose of this research study was to evaluate the impact of school-based sexual health education on young females’ knowledge and attitudes for healthy sexual choices. The education program was an evidence-based program called Choosing the Best. The target population was females 18–19 years old living in a rural community in Texas. The main challenge of the study was the lack of participants. Due to a lack of participation and only one student attending the study, statistical analysis could not be conducted. The student evaluated the sexual health class by completing pre- and postsurveys using Barrett’s Power as Knowing Participation in Change Tool (PKPCT). Qualitative data received from the one student showed positive comments on the benefits of sexual health education. Recommendations for future research are to perform the study in a school environment and lower the age limits for the target population. Using social media delivery methods for broadcasting the education class may reduce adolescents’ fear of attending a sexual health class and would promote attendance. More research needs to be done to evaluate how a school-based sexual health program impacts students’ attitudes toward healthy sexual behaviors.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.
Recommended Citation
Kendall, Tracy L., "A School-Based Sexual Health Education Program" (2020). Digital Commons @ ACU, Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 240.
https://digitalcommons.acu.edu/etd/240
Included in
Female Urogenital Diseases and Pregnancy Complications Commons, Public Health and Community Nursing Commons