Facilitators of Sexual Health Education for Male Adolescents in Iran: A Qualitative Study

Adolescence is a period of rapid physical, social, emotional, cognitive, and sexual  development. The widening gap between biological maturity and social transition to adulthood  highlights the importance of adolescents’ need for education, especially in sexual health. The main  objective of this study was to explore the facilitators of Sexual Health Education (SHE) for male  adolescents in Iran.

In this qualitative content analysis, a total number of  45 participants were investigated from June 2018 to July 2019 through individual, semi‑structured,  in‑depth interviews in the city of Mashhad, Iran, until data saturated. The participants were selected  using a purposive sampling method. The data were analyzed using a conventional content analysis  method based on the approach developed by Graneheim and Lundman (2004) using MAXQDA  software.

In data analysis, 2 main categories and 9 subcategories emerged. The main  categories included extrapersonal facilitators and intrapersonal facilitators. The category of  extrapersonal facilitators included the 7 subcategories of appropriate policy‑making, use of religious  capacities, consideration of native culture, supportive family environment, school empowerment,  inter‑sectoral integration and collaboration, and reinforcement of parent‑teacher interaction. The  category of intrapersonal facilitators comprised of the 2 subcategories of supporting adolescent  socialization and using distraction techniques in adolescents.

The study revealed that  having an action plan with a scientific, ethical, legal, religious, and cultural background, establishing  a suitable home, school, and community environment, strengthening inter‑sectoral integration,  collaboration, and interpersonal coordination, and utilizing the capabilities and potentials of  adolescents can provide an appropriate SHE for adolescent boys.