Submission ID 130905
| Issue/Objective | Sexual and reproductive health (SRH) education is essential for supporting healthy development, informed decision-making, and safe relationships among youth. However, many young people continue to face barriers to accessing accurate, inclusive, and trustworthy SRH information, and often rely on peers, social media, or informal online sources that may be incomplete or misleading. Parents are also important sources of support, yet many experience discomfort, cultural barriers, and limited resources for discussing sexual health with their children. Despite growing interest in digital health tools, limited research has examined how both youth and parents perceive current SRH education gaps and the potential role of digital approaches, such as text messaging, in improving access, communication, and equity. This study aimed to explore youth and parent perspectives on SRH education, barriers and facilitators to access, and opportunities for digitally supported, community-informed interventions in Alberta. |
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| Methodology/Approach | This community-based participatory research study, informed by integrated knowledge translation principles, was conducted in Alberta with two participant groups: 15 youth aged 15-24 and 15 parents/guardians of youth aged 15-24. Semi-structured online interviews explored experiences with SRH education, barriers and facilitators to access, family communication dynamics, and perspectives on digital supports, including text messaging. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed thematically using Braun and Clarke's framework. |
| Results | Across both participant groups, SRH education was described as needing to be accurate, inclusive, culturally responsive, and practical. Youth highlighted stigma, confidentiality concerns, geographic inequities, and limited LGBTQ+-inclusive content, while expressing strong preference for private, interactive, and text-based or online formats. Parents emphasized the protective value of open parent-child communication, but described cultural silence, discomfort, and limited support in sustaining these conversations. Both groups identified digital tools, especially text messaging and mobile platforms, as promising mechanisms to deliver timely, discreet, age-appropriate guidance and reduce access gaps. |
| Discussion/Conclusion | Findings support a person- and community-centred model of SRH promotion that combines youth-informed digital delivery with parent-supported communication strategies. Equity-focused digital interventions may help address structural and social barriers, strengthen family communication, and expand access to reliable SRH information for diverse youth populations. Fundings: Women and Children's Health Research Institute |
| Presenters and Affiliations | Neelam Punjani Univesrity of Alberta Amber Hussain Univesrity of Alberta Neelam Punjani Univesrity of Alberta Amber Hussain Univesrity of Alberta Shannon Scott Univesrity of Alberta Margot Jackson Univesrity of Alberta Oluwabukola Salami University of Calgary Kristopher Wells Univesrity of Alberta |
