Promising practices for the design and implementation of sexuality education programmes for youth in India: a scoping review

Sexual violence and HIV/AIDS are major public health concerns in India. By promoting bodily autonomy, wellbeing, and dignity through knowledge and skills, comprehensive sexuality education for young people can help prevent adverse sexual and reproductive health outcomes. While there is increased recognition globally regarding young people’s need for sexuality education, translating this recognition into accepted programmes in India has been challenging. This scoping review aims to examine recommendations for promising practices for the design and implementation of sexuality education programmes and resources aimed at youth in India. A systematic search and review of the literature was conducted from June to August 2020. Of the total 5312 citations identified and screened, 622 advanced to full-text screening, and 39 were included in the final analysis. Promising practices include the need to: tailor content to serve the needs of the specific youth population being targeted; use engaging and participatory methods to teach sexual health content; work in partnership and collaboration with local experts and organisations; address potential barriers to participation and work to mitigate those barriers for marginalised youth; be youth friendly, flexible and convenient; and to be developmentally and culturally appropriate for the Indian youth context. Sexuality education programmes should integrate into existing community services and link with local reproductive health services to help provide youth with access to the services they may need. Continued work and efforts are required to address the interrelated and broad structural factors, including political, financial, social, and cultural factors that affect youth sexual health and wellbeing.