Background: A comprehensive review of the literature failed to find any studies to assess elementary school parents' preferred philosophical approach to teaching sexuality education and sexuality education topics discussed by parents. All previous research reported parent data for grades K-12 or grades 9-12 only. Methods: A random sample of 2400…

The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of sexting among sixth through twelfth grade students and its correlations with other risk behaviors. The survey was conducted in 35 different schools in a midwestern state. Overall, 17% of students engaged in sexting, which varied significantly by age (3% of 12-year-olds to 32% of…

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of anal intercourse and its associated risk behaviors in a sample of Midwestern, predominantly white rural adolescents. Most of the research on this activity has been local or regional studies, with urban East and West Coast racial and ethnic minority adolescents. Methods: A…

Background: This study examined the prevalence of oral sexual activity in rural Midwestern adolescents. We also examined the correlates of a series of risk behaviors with oral sexual activity. Methods: A questionnaire based on the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System was distributed to 2121 rural middle and high school students in grades 6-12…

This article reviews recent literature dealing with child sexual abuse and identifies the role health educators can play in combating this problem. (JD)

Assessed fifth and six grade teachers' techniques of responding to students' human sexuality-related questions. Few teachers reported receiving formal training in sexuality education. Most teachers' districts had a sexuality education curriculum.(SM)

The health educator needs to be aware of the relationship between religious orientation and health. (MM)

Nonconsensual sexual activity within schools is currently a problem and female youth are at highest risk. Article aims to examine school counselors' perceptions of this activity among high school students. Reviews questionnaire sent to secondary school counselors. Of those responding, 72% stated that they had professionally dealt with students…

Surveyed rural parents regarding their perceptions of the characteristics, content, and comfort level of discussions about sexual issues with their teens. Results indicated that most respondents believed the family should play a prominent role in sexuality education, with help from the school starting before seventh grade. Most parents felt…

Explored sixth graders' sexual behavior and behavior intentions, analyzing health-related risk behaviors and constructs from social support and social cognitive theories based on race and gender regarding their predictive value for students having sexual intercourse. Survey data indicated that very few students had sexual intercourse or other high…

Surveys of rural junior high school students examined their perceptions of teen parenthood, their current sexual behavior, and risk factors for engaging in sexual intercourse. Results indicated that one in nine adolescents had engaged in sexual intercourse. Smoking and efficacy expectations of not engaging in sexual intercourse were significant…

Assessed junior high students' perceptions regarding nonconsensual sexual activity. Surveys indicated 35% had had sexual intercourse; 19% reported feeling pressure from their friends to have sex; 17% had been sexually coerced by an adolescent, 7% by an adult; 6% reported having sexually coerced someone else. Students demonstrated low knowledge…