Research & Surveys
A range of international and UK research and survey
findings looking at the inter-related themes of SRE, teenage
sexual health and relationships and sexual health sevice
provision.
The items below have been selected because they are all free to
download and do not aim to represent a comprehensive spread of
the available research. Items are organised under the following
headings:
Sex and relationships education
SRE methods and approaches
Relationships and young
people
Sexual health
Sexual health services
A reading list is also available which provides a
selection of key research articles, books and reports.
Sex and
relationships education
Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE)
Education: A mapping study of the prevalent models of delivery and
their effectiveness (2011) Department for Education
This research investigated the delivery models of Personal, Social,
Health and Economic education in primary and secondary schools in
England. It examined whether there is a prevalent delivery model,
how the different strands are delivered in primary/secondary
schools, the length of the allocated time in the curriculum and the
extent to which schools provide coverage of all elements of the
subject.
Contributions of alcohol use to teenage pregnancy
and sexually transmitted infection rates (2010) North West
Public Health Observatory (Centre for Public Health, Liverpool
John Moores University)
This report report uses existing data on sexual health, teenage
pregnancy and alcohol-related hospital admissions to identify
relationships between alcohol use and both teenage pregnancy and
sexually transmitted infections. The results support the need
for integrated approaches to health services for young people.
Sex and relationships education; views from
teachers, parents and governors
Research (2010)
Report of a survey facilitated by Durex in partnership with the
National Confederation of Parent Teacher Associatons (NCPTA), the
National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) and the National
Governors Association (NGA). The survey found a very high level of
agreement between parents, school leaders and governors about
SRE.
TellUs4 national report (2010)
Ofsted
This report covers the results of the TellUs4 survey
of over 250,000 children and young people in England. The
survey asked Year 8 and 10 pupils how helpful the
information is that they receive on smoking, drugs, alcohol,
healthy eating, handling your feelings, managing money, staying
safe and sex and relationships. 13% of young people said they
had not received any information on sex and relationships, 19% said
the information they had received was not helpful and 53% said the
information was helpful.
Talking about sex and relationships: the views of
young people with learning disabilities (2010) CHANGE
Final report of the sexuality project by CHANGE, 2007-2010. It
highlights where the gaps are in sex education for young people
with learning disabilities, and makes recommendations. Research was
carried out with young people with learning disabilities using
drama, interviews with parents and teachers and a national survey
of special schools.
Customer Voice Research: Sex and Relationships
Education (2009) Sherbert Research
Based on discussions with a total of 47 mothers and fathers (in
separate groups) with the aim to understand parents' views on SRE
and if parents should have the option to withdraw their children
from school SRE.
Sex and relationships education in other
countries (2009) NFER
This desk-based research report presents country profiles looking
at what sex and relationships education is taught, what elements
are compulsory and if parents have a right to withdraw their
children from any aspects.
International guidelines on sexuality education;
an evidence informed approach to effective sex, relationships and
HIV/STI education (2009) UNESCO
These guidelines set out the rationale and evidence base for
sexuality education based on a specially commissioned systematic
review of the literature on the impact of sexuality education on
sexual behaviour. A curriculum of suggested topics and learning
outcomes is presented in four age bands spanning 5-18 years.
Durex - the Face of Global Sex report 2009
(2009) Sex and Relationships Education: Assessing the Gaps for
Eastern European Youth'
The study reveals that regardless of their nationality, the younger
a person is when they initially receive sex and relationships
education, the less likely it is that they will feel the need for
further sex education at later stages in their lives. The report
concludes that universal access to formal sex and relationships
education should be guaranteed to young people before the age of
12.
Review of Sex, Relationships and HIV Education in
schools (2008) UNESCO
This international literature review, with a focus on sub-Saharan
Africa, finds that: "there is overwhelming evidence to demonstrate
that sex, relationships and HIV education programmes can increase
knowledge and affect values and attitudes. The report recommends
that sex, relationships and HIV education begin in primary school
and be teacher-led.
Emerging Answers 2007: Research Findings on
Programs to Reduce Teen Pregnancy and Sexually Transmitted
Diseases (2007) Kirby, D. Washington, DC: National Campaign to
Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy
This review sets out the behaviour and factors that affect
teenage sexual health and reviews evidence from evaluations of
educational programmes designed to reduce teenage pregnancy
and STIs. It also presents analysis of the
characteristics of effective curriculum-based programmes (see
Chapter 7).
SRE: Are you getting it? (2007) UK Youth
Parliament
Report of a survey led by young people based on responses from over
21,000 young people about their experiences of and views about
sex and relationships education.
Sexual health in young people; International
research summaries and Swedish experiences of preventive work
(2007) Margareta Forsberg
Provides summaries of five international prevention reviews and
places findings alongside experiences from Sweden. Identifies
common themes for discussion including 'actors and arenas' and
the structure and content of interventions.
Sexuality education in Europe; A reference guide
to policies and practice (2006) IPPF European Network
This document provides country-by-country accounts of the
provision of sexuality education in 26 European countries. Data
on demographics, policy and legislation is provided for each
country and an introductory narrative exploring common themes.
SRE methods and
approaches
A Review of the International Literature on the
Role of Outside Facilitators in the Delivery of School-based Sex
Education (2009) Crisis Pregnancy, Ireland.
Key themes examined in this review include peer-led approaches,
theatre in education, nurses and physicians as facilitators and the
use of computers and multimedia.
The impact of virtual infant simulators in tackling
under-18 conception rates in Rotherham, UK (2007) Chavaudra, N.
Journal of Family Planning and Reproductive Health Care 33 (1)
Having a real debate: using media as a resource in
sex education (2006) Bragg, S, Sex Education Journal
Does mothering a doll change teens' thoughts about
pregnancy? (2000) Kralewski, J et al, Pediatrics 105 (3) March
2000
Relationships and young
people
A missing link?: An exploratory study of the
connections between non-consensual sex and teenage pregnancy
(2010) Maddy Coy, Kerry Lee and Liz Kelly. Child and Women Abuse
Studies Unit, London Metropolitan University.
Report presenting findings from the first contemporary UK study to
focus on the association between sexual abuse, coercion, intimate
partner violence and teenage conception rates.
Review of Sexualisation of Young People (2010)
Papadopoulos, L. Home Office
Report by Dr Linda Papadopoulos on how sexualised images and
messages may be affecting the development of children and young
people. Among the recommendations are that schools teach media
literacy, and that teachers are trained on gender equality. The
report forms part of the government's strategy to address violence
against women and girls.
Young women, agency and intimacy in sexual
relationships (2009) Maxwell, C et al, Institute of
Education
This study set out to explore young women's understandings and
experiences of power in their sexual and intimate relationships.
Fifty-four young women in the Sixth Form of one school in southern
England were involved in the research through focus group
discussions, in-depth interviews and participant
observation. The 'key issues' document sets out the research
and policy context for work on sexual and intimate relationships
with young people, draws out the key findings from the study, and
includes a list of ideas for SRE teachers to build awareness
of gender equality.
Together we can end violence against women and
girls: young people's consultation response collated by
NCB (2009) NCB
This report presents the views of young people on violence
against women and girls and contributed to the government
consultation on their strategy. Young people were consulted through
a survey and focus groups and said that they are concerned that
they are not taught about positive and respectful relationships
from an early age. A young people's version is also
available.
Partner exploitation and violence in teenage
intimate relationships (2009) Barter et al, NSPCC
This survey of young people aged 13 to 17 found that
nine out of ten of the girls surveyed had been in an intimate
relationship and a quarter had experienced violence from their
boyfriends. Young people with experience of family violence were
more likely to have experienced a relationship, and more likely to
have experienced one at an earlier age than young people with no
history of family violence.
Are you ready? Young people's views on sex and
relationships (2007) fpa
Based on findings from discussion groups with young people this
report covers issues such as influences, gender differences,
consent and readiness and communication about sex and
relationships.
Choreography of Condom use: how, not just if,
young people use condoms (2005) Hatherall, B. et al,
Brook
Using focus groups, survey questionnaires, diaries and
interviews with young people this research explored the
quality of condom use. Key findings relate to the importance of
partner communication, confidence in how to use condoms correctly
and the influence of friends.
Sexual health
A survey of teenage sexual health: knowledge,
behaviour and attitudes in East Yorkshire (2010)
University of Hull
This survey investigated the sexual health knowledge, behaviour and
attitudes of young people ages 13-16 (school years 9, 10 and 11)
across the East Riding local authority district. It was
commissioned by The East Riding Teenage Pregnancy & Young
People's Sexual Health Partnership Board with the overall aim
to improve both the sex and relationships education (SRE) and the
associated support that young people get from the schools in East
Yorkshire.
Young people in London; abortion and repeat
abortion (2010) Hoggart, L. and Phillips, J for Government
Office for London
Research exploring teenage experiences of abortion and sexual
behaviour before and after an abortion. The research makes
recommendations for strategy and commissioning, contraception and
sexual health services, post-abortion services and sex and
relationships education.
The Sussex Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and
Unsure (LGBTU) Training and Development Research Partnership
(2009) This report is based on in-depth interviews and focus groups
with young people and professionals. The main themes are
'coming-out', school and sixth form college, SRE, homophobic
bullying and views on services, and training.
The condom broke: why do women in the UK have
unintended pregnancies(2009) Marie Stopes International
The research reveals that many women attending Marie Stopes
International centres in the UK for abortion services were largely
unaware of the full range of contraceptive options. Others have
misunderstood how to use their chosen contraceptive method
correctly, resulting in unintended pregnancy, whilst over one fifth
of those taking part in the study (22%) reported not using a method
regularly.
Sexual health, Rights and Staying Safe (2009)
UNICEF and THT
Reports on an on-line survey by UNICEF UK in
collaboration with Terrence Higgins Trust with over 500 young
people - the majority aged between 12 and 24 years - and in-depth
interviews with a smaller group of selected individuals. It reveals
that the majority of young people don't know where to go for
trusted information on sexual health. Three quarters surveyed said
they rely on internet search engines and half depend on advice from
peers.
Who has sex with whom? Characteristics of
heterosexual partnerships reported in a national probability survey
and implications for STI risk (2008) Mercer, C. International
Journal of Epidemiology 1-9
Condom use and consistency among teen males
(2008) Ikramullah, E and Manlove, J, Child Trends Factsheet
Factsheet looking at condom use by young men in the United
States. Finds widespread use of condoms for first sexual
intercourse, but less frequent reporting by young men of consistent
use thereafter. The report also found that teenage men who receive
any type of sex education have higher levels of condom use and
consistency.
Pathways into parenthood: reflections from three
generations of teenage mothers and fathers
(2006) Hirst, J., Formby, E., and Owen,
J. Sheffield Hallam University, Centre for Social
Inclusion.
Explores the views and experiences of men and women who became
parents while under the age of twenty. Includes recommendations for
policy and practice.
Sexual health knowledge, attitudes and behaviours
among black and minority ethnic youth in London. A summary of
findings (2006) Testa, A., and Coleman, L. Trust for
the Study of Adolescence/Naz Project London.
Reports on findings from research with over 3000 young people
carried out by the Naz Project London and the Trust for the Study
of Adolescence. Young people across ethnic groups said they would
prefer to learn about sexual health at school and from a sexual
health professional.
Casenotes: Alcohol and teenage sexual activity
(2006) NSPCC
This 'briefing' style report explores the links between alcohol and
teenage sexual health and draws on evidence from young people's
calls to Childline.
Teenage Pregnancy Research: research
reports commissioned by the Teenage Pregnancy Strategy, DCSF,
including the National Evaluation of the Teenage Pregnancy Strategy
(2005) and a number of briefings focusing on young people who are
socially marginalised and at highest risk of early pregnancy.
The sexual health needs of young people with
learning disabilities (2007) Fraser, S. and Sim, J., Health
Scotland
This briefing paper looks at the SRE and sexual health service
related needs of young people with learning disabilities.
It is an evidence review drawing on case-studies of
promising practice, a literature review and consultation with young
people. It concludes with recommended actions and next steps - with
a focus on Scotland.
Sexual health services
School-linked sexual health services for young
people (SSHYP): a survey and systematic review concerning current
models, effectiveness, cost-effectiveness and research
opportunities (2010) Owen J, et al. Health Technol Assess
2010;14(30).
This systematic review of evidence found that there is no evidence
to suggest that sexual health services, based in or linked closely
to schools, contribute to earlier or higher levels of sexual
activity in young people, but there is some evidence of positive
effects on teenage conceptions and, among boys, sexually
transmitted infection rates. The evidence suggested a number of
principles that should inform the development of new services and
the evaluation of established services.
Evaluation of the Teenage Health Demonstration Sites Programme:
Final Report (2009) Sawtell M, et al, Social Science Research Unit,
Institute of Education, University of London
The Teenage Health Demonstration Sites was a 2-year programme
funded by the Department of Health from 2006-8. It ran in four
localities; Bolton, Hackney, Portsmouth and Northumberland. The aim
of the programme was to demonstrate different approaches to
developing holistic adolescent health services. Key themes relate
to professional skill-mix, leadership, involving young people
and vulnerable groups.
An Evaluation of Brook Sexual Health Outreach in
Schools (2008) Salmon, D et al, University of West of
England
Evaluation of school-based sexual health services provision in 16
secondary schools in Bristol exploring service use patterns and
outcomes, including the views of young people and
professionals.
Adolescent health provision; factors
facilitating the provision of young people's health services (2006)
Young People in Focus
Published at the time of the launch of the Teenage Health
Demonstration Sites programme this report includes a literature
review and analysis of the factors facilitating and hindering
provision of young people's health services.