Comprehensive Sexuality Education in Italy: results from a pilot activity, April 2023

BACKGROUND: Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) is a key strategy to promote adolescents’ sexual and reproductive health (SRH) in school context. However, CSE is not part of Italian school curricula. This study, funded by the Ministry of Health, describes the preliminary results of a CSE pilot activity in upper secondary schools (USS), in 4/20 Italian regions, started in February 2023. METHODS: The pilot activity has been developed by an interdisciplinary team of academics, public health professionals and civil society organisations (CSOs) with expertise in SRH promotion in schools. It consisted of 5 interventions on the following topics: 1) adolescence and healthy relationships; 2) sexual identity and diversity; 3) sexual consent and contraception; 4) sexually transmitted infections (STIs) prevention and sexual health services; 5) insights into topics chosen by the students. The evaluation consisted of pre-post tests on knowledge and satisfaction. RESULTS: The results refer to preliminary analysis of 551 pre-tests, 443 post-tests and 329 satisfaction questionnaires. Knowledge significantly increased in 13/15 items investigated. Highest increment of correct answers was found in items related to HIV/AIDS treatment (+41.1%) and STIs symptoms (+37.5%). No increment was observed in items asking the meaning of empathy and stereotype. Among the pre/post-test open questions, “What is sexuality?” showed broader texts and less uncertainty in the post-test answers compared to the pre-test (9.1% vs 1.7%). 90% of students appreciated “very much” talking about STIs and 72% liked the possibility to talk to adults other than teachers. CONCLUSIONS: This study represents one of the first attempts to provide evidence-based data to promote CSE in Italy. Early results reveal short-term positive outcomes (e.g. increased knowledge and decreased uncertainty). However, more data and advocacy are needed to support the introduction of CSE in Italian school curricula. KEY MESSAGES: • Comprehensive sexuality education is fundamental to promote sexual health among young people, especially in school context. • Italy needs to develop and implement a standardised, evidence-based, comprehensive sexuality education intervention to be included in school's curricula.