The timing, format and content of school based sex education: an experience with a lasting effect?

School based sex education provides an opportunity to prepare young people for their sexual careers. However, research has criticised the education provided in terms of it being too late, using didactic teaching methods and focusing on biological information. The present study aimed to explore young peoples' experiences of, and beliefs about, their school sex education in terms of its timing, format and content, and to examine the relationship between these factors and their intentions to use condoms. Sixteen to 19 year olds (n = 967) from educational institutions within the South Thames region completed a questionnaire about their sex education. The results showed that the median age of first receiving sex education was 11, that the majority of subjects believed that the timing was about right and a third believed it was too late. In terms of format, didactic methods such as facts, videos and leaflets were more commonly reported than interactive methods such as role-play and discussions about relationships, with the subjects reporting a preference for the latter. In terms of content the results suggested that the greatest emphasis was on biological information, with least emphasis being placed on relationship information. However, many subjects indicated that they had received practical advice such as how to use a condom correctly. In addition, the results indicated that although the timing and format of sex education were unrelated to behavioural intentions, a greater emphasis on practical advice was related to a greater intention to use a condom in the future. The results are discussed in terms of the contemporary nature of school based sex education programmes and evidence for changes following recent recommendations.