%0 Journal Article
%T Introducing comprehensive sexuality education in Italian schools: from the co-construction to the evaluation of a pilot intervention.
%A Chinelli A
%A Ubbiali M
%A Paparatto G
%A Torri E
%A Musco A
%A Galipò R
%A Meli P
%A Bellini S
%A Catucci N
%A Colaprico L
%A Camposeragna A
%A Farinella M
%A Rancilio L
%A Landi N
%A Stettini P
%A Salfa MC
%A Cellini A
%A Suligoi B
%A Palamara AT
%A Mortari L
%A Caraglia A
%A Martinelli D
%A Tavoschi L
%J BMC Public Health
%V 24
%N 1
%D 2024 Aug 2
%M 39095763
%F 4.135
%R 10.1186/s12889-024-19610-7
%X BACKGROUND: School-based comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) is a powerful tool that provides young people with information on all aspects of sexuality and is aimed at protecting their sexual and reproductive health and well-being throughout their lives. Currently, CSE is not integrated within the schools' curriculum in Italy. This study describes the co-construction, implementation, and evaluation of a CSE project piloted among students attending lower secondary schools, in four regions of Italy. Evidence-based evaluation will be helpful in promote the inclusion of CSE programs in the Italian schools' curriculum.
METHODS: The pilot scheme was co-constructed by a multidisciplinary curriculum development group through a Delphi process, including educators who conducted the activities. The evaluation followed three directions: the program (based on a literature review of CSE principles and recommended characteristics), implementation (assessing the execution of the program through the analysis of the reflection tools used by the educators), and short-term outcomes (assessing critical thinking and conscious behavioural choices through pre-post and satisfaction surveys).
RESULTS: The main goal, learning modules and content were defined and structured in five interventions with the students, and two with families and teachers. A total of 638 students were involved in the activity, across 11 schools. Data analysis of pre/post surveys reported a significant increase in knowledge in 12 of the 15 items investigated (p < 0.05), and a high level of satisfaction with the topics addressed. Qualitative analysis added information on the pivotal role of educators in CSE.
CONCLUSIONS: The national piloting of this educational activity provided positive insights regarding the co-construction, implementation and short-outcome evaluation, suggesting potential for scalability and future inclusion of CSE in the curricula of Italian schools.