DataNB
The latest from the New Brunswick Institute for Research, Data and Training

New Brunswick youth have high incidence of sexually transmitted infections, unplanned pregnancy, sexual violations, and dating violence suggestive of high-risk sexual behaviors and a lack of knowledge regarding sexual consent, personal safety, and understanding of healthy relationship characteristics. Positive sexual health communication between parents and their children is an important determinate of the development of healthy sexuality and sexual behaviors; however, parental communication about sex is often lacking for a variety of reasons including limited sexual health education knowledge, discomfort discussing sex, and demographic factors. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the current sexual health education practices and needs of NB parents, step parents, and guardians. We administered online and paper surveys to over 5400 English and French respondents around NB. The result of the study revealed that NB parents, step parents, and guardians report high levels of knowledge and comfort discussing sexual health with their children. However, there is opportunity to improve on the existing resources. To this end five recommendations are made: (1) collaborate with school districts and health authorities, (2) share information on age appropriate topics, (3) develop an online dissemination strategy with supplementary online materials, (4) co-develop materials between Horizon and Vitalité Health Networks, and (5) target resources to the needs of specific demographic groups. This information will be used to inform the development and/or adaptation of resources to support parents in their role of primary sexual health educators of their children.