DENVER — The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in students being less engaged and open about sexual education when compared with other middle school classes, according to research presented during the American Academy of Pediatrics 2025 National Conference & Exhibition at the Colorado Convention Center from Sept. 26-30.
Researchers taught two different groups of 7th grade students about their sexual health over an 8-lesson course – once during the 2018-2019 school year and again in the 2023-2024 school year. After the courses were completed, each group of students was given a questionnaire on what they learned and their attitudes about sexual health topics. Despite both groups showing interest in the topic, the 2023-2024 group reported more negative feelings and beliefs regarding sexual education than their peers in the 2018-2019 group.
Parker Haddock, research author and medical student with the Warren Alpert Medical School at Brown University, said the findings reinforce known trends regarding student engagement post-pandemic.
"Middle schoolers are learning the facts about sexual health, but that's only half of the battle. If we want students to make healthy choices, we need to teach sexual health in ways that foster not just knowledge, but belief and confidence, and result in real-world application," Haddock said.
Researchers state this data further solidifies the need for increased urgency in restoring the emotional and social learning kids get in the classroom, especially for a topic that requires change in existing beliefs to help students make safe, informed choices.
"Sexual health curriculum needs to evolve so it can meet students where they are at and give them the tools they will need," Haddock said.
The authors received financial support for this research from the Family Medicine Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Funding for Student Projects in Care of Underserved Patients and Populations, RI Area Health Education Center (AHEC) Grant, Peterson Educational Enhancement Fund, and The Warren Alpert Medical School Student Senate Funding Board.
