Authors
A. Chinelli (1), D. Martinelli (2), G. Paparatto (1), L. Bonaldo (1), M. Di Nino (1), A. Musco (2), M. Ubbiali (3), M. Farinella (4), L. Mangieri (5), M. Rohani (6), I. Pennini (7), S. Bellini (8), R. Galipò (9), P. Meli (10), N. Catucci (11), M. Di Tullio (11), V. De Falco (12), P. Fallace (13), F. Rizzi (14), B. Suligoi (15), M.C. Salfa (15), P. Nardone (15), D. Pierannunzio (15), S. Donati (15), S. Ciardullo (15), L. Tavoschi (1)
Affiliation
(1) University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy, (2) University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy, (3) University of Verona, Verona, Italy, (4) Circolo di cultura omosessuale Mario Mieli, Roma, Italy, (5) Coordinamento Nazionale Comunità di Accoglienza (CNCA), Roma, Italy, (6) Arcigay, Bologna, Italy, (7) Arcigay, Padova, Italy, (8) Lega Italiana per la Lotta all’AIDS (LILA), Firenze, Italy, (9) Associazione Nazionale per la Lotta all’AIDS (ANLAIDS), Roma, Italy, (10) Coordinamento Italiano Case Alloggio HIV/AIDS (CICA), Bergamo, Italy, (11) Lega Italiana per la Lotta all’AIDS (CamaLILA), Bari, Italy, (12) Associazione Nazionale per la Lotta all’AIDS (ANLAIDS) Campania, Napoli, Italy, (13) ASL Napoli 2 Nord, Napoli, Italy, (14) Arcigay Friuli, Udine, Italy, (15) Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Roma, Italy
ABSTRACT
Background: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are on the rise all over Europe, including Italy, affecting especially young people. Among the different interventions promoting STIs knowledge and healthier behaviours, comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) represents the best approach. However, in Italy, CSE is not yet included in the curriculum of any grade of school. In this study, we present the preliminary results of a CSE pilot intervention in Italian secondary schools. This initiative was conducted as an objective of EduForIST national project, funded by the Ministry of Health, coordinated by the University of Pisa, in collaboration with the Italian National Institute of Health, Universities of Verona and Foggia, several civil society organisations (CSOs) and three local health departments. In particular, we described the results in the levels of knowledge and satisfaction of students participating in the intervention, from December 2023 to May 2024.
Material and Methods: The pilot intervention targets secondary schools' students and consists of a 10-hour intervention of 5 modules covering topics such as: changes in adolescence, relationships, consent, sexual identity, STIs, unwanted pregnancy prevention and sexual health services. The students’ evaluation consists in pre/post tests assessing knowledge and satisfaction that includes open-ended questions (e.g. sexuality definition; how to improve the intervention). A Solomon four-group design study was used to compare intervention and control classes. CSOs educators and local health unit personnel delivered the intervention in 26 secondary schools (13 lower) of 6 regions. A follow-up test will be conducted 4-6 months after the end of the activity.
Results: Between December 2023 and March 2024, a total of 789 students have completed the pre-tests, 596 the post-tests (including 383 from intervention group) and 351 the satisfaction questionnaires. Preliminary analysis on pre-post tests showed increase in correct answers among the intervention group. The activity was highly appreciated, especially the topics regarding changes in adolescence, emotions, relationships and methods to prevent STIs transmission. The vast majority of students (96% of upper secondary and 86% of lower secondary) considered schools to be the appropriate setting to receive comprehensive information on STIs prevention, preferably by external experts. Further analysis on qualitative and long-term results are ongoing and will aim to determine the impact of the intervention on students’ knowledge retention in short/medium term and satisfaction levels.
Conclusions: The results from this study will contribute to assess the impact of CSE initiatives on sexual health knowledge and attitudes among Italian secondary schools students, and on the efficacy of these programs in fostering healthier behaviours. The evidence generated will inform and support advocacy for the introduction of CSE within the Italian school curricula.
Allegato: Slide presentate alla conferenza
Lavoro presentato in occasione di ICAR 2024 - Italian Conference on AIDS and Antiviral Reserarch
