AIDS and sex education in Newcastle schools: policy, priority and obstacles

Abstract

District health authorities and health promotion units are asked to take the lead in reviewing and developing sex education in schools, as part of The Health of the Nation. To ascertain: the availability of, and options on, sex and HIV and AIDS education policy; the prevalence and perceived importance of school education on AIDS and sexual health; and the perceived obstacles to teaching about HIV and AIDS, a postal survey of Newcastle schools was undertaken in 1992. The study found that statutory obligations relating to sex education policy were unfulfilled in many schools, and AIDS education was not carried out in some schools. Key educators were dissatisfied with the fact that AIDS was compulsory in the science curriculum, and that sex education was not compulsory. We join with others in support of high quality sex and AIDS education that is planned, delivered and monitored through alliances of health service, local authority and schools.