Date of Graduation
5-2023
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Degree Level
Undergraduate
Department
Nursing
Advisor/Mentor
Ballentine, Hope
Committee Member/Reader
Hall, David
Abstract
Background: Comprehensive sex education instills knowledge and promotes the health of all youth, however, most sex education remains heteronormative. School-based programs in the United States (US) emphasize monogamous, heterosexual relationships. In 2021, only 7.4% of students received sex education that included positive representations of both LGB and transgender people and nonbinary topics, while 72% of programs across the US omit LGBTQ+ topics. Most new HIV diagnoses occur in gay and bisexual men aged 13-34, but the sex education environment for this group is increasingly hostile as more states prohibit addressing these topics in public schools.
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine if comprehensive and inclusive sex education results in increased sexual health efficacy of the LGBTQ+ community.
Methods: An expanded literature review was conducted using PubMed. A variety of search terms were used resulting in a total of 3989 articles. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria and reaching content saturation, 20 peer-reviewed articles were selected
Results: Inclusive sex education programming decreases negative outcomes of sexual health by which LGBTQ+ youth are disproportionately affected, increases supportive school climates which promotes positive outlooks about LGBTQ+ and decreasing homophobia. Stigmatization, which is increased in environments without inclusive sex education, is an overarching factor in decreased STI/HIV testing and adherence to preventative strategies of risky sexual behavior.
Conclusions: Overall findings indicated that more research needs to be conducted, but compelling evidence exists that comprehensive sex education inclusive of LGBTQ topics promotes sexual literacy of all.
Keywords
LGBTQ+; disparities; sexual education; inclusive education; comprehensive sex education; HIV/STIs
Citation
McBride, C. T. (2023). Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer (LGBTQIA+) Health Disparities in Sexual Health and Sexual Education. Curriculum and Instruction Undergraduate Honors Theses Retrieved from https://scholarworks.uark.edu/cieduht/33
Included in
Community Health and Preventive Medicine Commons, Medical Education Commons, Public Health and Community Nursing Commons, Public Health Education and Promotion Commons, Quality Improvement Commons
