Discontinuing any educational program can put students behind. Curriculum delays, extended illness and administrative problems can set students up for failure.
No other event in recent memory has disrupted education more than the COVID-19 pandemic, with lockdowns and online classes reducing the quality of education and providing students with fewer learning opportunities. Research in the UK showed that students who were in school or other forms of education lost 35% of a normal school year’s worth of learning between 2020 and 2022.
One dimension that has not yet been studied in depth is the impact that COVID has had on sex education.
But a fascinating new study presented at the American Academy of Pediatrics examines how students’ knowledge and beliefs about sexual health have changed.
Keep reading to learn more.
The more you know about your sexual health, the better you can protect yourself.
What does the study say?
The study, titled Sex Ed by Brown Med: The impact of COVID-19 on middle school students’ sex health educationled by medical students at the Warren Alpert School of Medicine at Brown University.
The researchers compared two groups of high school students. Both cohorts participated in an eight-course sexual processing program. One cohort was taught between 2018 and 2019 and the other was taught between 2023 and 2024. The program was taught by medical student volunteers. It covered topics such as communication, consent, decision making, safe sex, healthy relationships, adolescence, reproductive health, sexual orientation and gender identity.
Both cohorts completed questionnaires to measure their knowledge and beliefs. Results from this questionnaire showed key differences between the two cohorts. The pre-pandemic group showed improved beliefs about their sexual health. In contrast, the post-pandemic cohort showed no measurable change in beliefs after the program.
Why is this important?
These findings are important because they show support for broader concerns about the long-term impact of COVID on student engagement and how learning is embedded in students’ intellectual and emotional landscape – regardless of whether they “buy it.”
From the results of the study, we can understand that students are less engaged and open about sexual health education. The study authors pointed out that while knowledge gains remain intact, the reduced influence on beliefs highlights the difficulty of encouraging behavioral changes in schools.
These results may also have implications for students as they grow older. Negative or incorrect beliefs about sexual health can have serious consequences for teenagers. Effective sexual health education has been shown to reduce the risks of teenage pregnancy and STD transmission, while also equipping students with the skills to make safe and informed choices about relationships and sexual activity. However, without changes in beliefs, students may struggle to apply what they have learned.
The study also highlights the wider impact of the pandemic on attitudes towards school-related issues. According to the authors, disruptions to routine learning and limited access to supportive resources may have led to reduced openness and engagement among middle school students. This aligns with existing research documenting post-pandemic changes in engagement on a variety of issues.
The researchers emphasized that these findings underscore the urgent need to update sexual health curricula. “Sexual health curriculum needs to evolve so it can meet students where they are and give them the tools they’ll need,” Haddock said. This highlights the importance of not only adapting content but also improving how education is delivered to better address the social and emotional needs of students.
Final thoughts
While all students should do sexual disorders, adults can always learn more continuously throughout their lives. The more you know about your sexual health, the more empowered you are to take action where needed.
If you are concerned about your sexual health or think you may have an STD, Better2Know can help. Click the button below to book an STD test at a sexual health clinic near you.
Don’t leave your sexual health to chance.
