Cesira Pasquarella

Educazione e promozione della salute sessuale attraverso lo sport: spunti per una riflessione (Sexual health education through sport: issues for further perspectives in health promotion)

Sexual health education through sport: issues for further perspectives in health promotion - WHO and the EU encourage the development of initiatives to promote teen-age sexual health. In Italy, though, adolescents sexually active age (15-17 years), adequate educational support seems to be lacking. Sexual education programs require a multidisciplinary approach, adequate staff and a conducive and appropriate environment. Sports and Physical Activity may provide additional and complementary support to school-sponsored activities. The sample (57% males and 43% females), stated that they participated in sexual education programs during their school years (58%). The schools do not seem to play an effective role, and friends continue to be the main source of information on sexuality-related issues (70%). Motor activities in schools and sports facilities may provide a useful education and prevention opportunity for youths and the Motor science graduate students may be a possible point of reference in schools or sports centers. They may also play a role in the multidisciplinary teams called to address adolescent issues, by actively participating in sexual education programs promoted by the public health system with other professionals Key words: sexual education, sexual health, physical activity, prevention, sexual behaviour, sport.