“Be explicit to be educated ”: Using thematic analysis and co-design to investigate and understand sexuality education in Australian high schools

Background A comprehensive sexuality education is evidenced to provide youth with the skills and knowledge required to promote sexual and reproductive health. Comprehensive sexuality education is recommended globally as an effective intervention for a range of improved sexual health outcomes, including reducing sexually transmitted infections and teenage pregnancies. The Australian curriculum unsuccessfully attempts to provide a comprehensive sexuality education to Australian adolescents; observably, it is incohesive, with the relevance and delivery appearing to vary among students. Simultaneously in Australia, we sustain alarmingly high rates of sexually transmitted infections in young people and an adult population with increasing reliance on assisted reproductive technologies. The diverse identities of adolescents and the changing nature of sexuality in society warrant an in depth exploration into the ideas and issues of youth in order to provide sexuality education that is reflective of the population it serves and improve sexual and reproductive health outcomes nationally. Methods Utilising qualitative research methodology, focus group transcripts of 15–18-year-old Australians were analysed to better understand what is required within sexuality education. For increased validity and interpretation of data, this project utilised a Youth Advisory Group to validate the thematic analysis. The study’s Youth Advisory Group further engaged in the co-design and development of recommendations for delivering sexuality education in Australia that reflected the thematic findings from the focus groups and their own lived experience. Results Thematic analysis revealed three prominent themes within focus group participants’ experiences; “culture of sex”, “content of sexuality education” and “sources of sexuality education beyond formal education”. The qualitative analysis revealed evidence of the complex relationship between these themes and Australia’s underperforming sexuality education. While these results were objectively undesirable, they presented guidance for the recommendations, informing the co-design conducted by the Youth Advisory Group. Conclusion The findings of this study, together with relevant literature, provide evidence for the complexities of adolescent sexual experience and of comprehensive sexuality education in the context of contemporary Australian high schools, to ultimately promote improved sexual and reproductive outcomes in Australia, now and in the future.