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The purpose of this study is to describe how school-based sexuality education (SBSE) in the context of health education frames and teaches sexuality, sexual orientation, and gender identity. Understanding how schools address sexuality and gender provides insight into how school systems might ostracize sexual and gender diverse (SGD) youth. This study used content analysis to survey 13 health education textbooks in the United States. The content of textbooks provides a sampling of cultural, economic, and political activities and the ways they may be portrayed in the school setting. All textbooks had to be (1) health education textbooks, (2) intended for middle and high school, (3) published in the last 15 years, and (4) required or recommended by a state or local Department of Education, or produced by a publisher recommended by a department of education. Results of this study indicate that 11 of the 13 reviewed textbooks had abstinence based or abstinence only until marriage sexuality education that presented narrow, binary definitions of gender and sexual orientation, and that ignored or provided misinformation about gender identity and sexual orientation. Results of this study suggest that school personnel should consider alternatives to widely available health textbooks to teach more inclusive, affirming, and effective sexuality education.

Decision-making has been identified as one of the most important skillsets in sexual health. This exploratory qualitative study explored how US middle and high school textbooks integrate the recommended sexual health decision-making skills recommended by Future of Sex Education (FOSE), a collaboration of organisations in the USA supporting comprehensive sex education. Using content analysis, we assessed 13 U.S. middle and high school health education textbooks recommended by school districts, state boards of education, and publishers. While textbooks touched on the knowledge and content areas for each skill set, skills were not taught to the extent that the skill was achieved or using a scaffolded approach that showed significant growth from middle to high school textbooks. As a result, young people receive inadequate content to competently perform the skills recommended by current National Standards. Changing state and district level health and sex education policies and aligning the curriculum with these standards, can better promote youth sexual decision-making.

Decision-making has been identified as one of the most important skillsets in sexual health. This exploratory qualitative study explored how US middle and high school textbooks integrate the recommended sexual health decision-making skills recommended by Future of Sex Education (FOSE), a collaboration of organisations in the USA supporting comprehensive sex education. Using content analysis, we assessed 13 U.S. middle and high school health education textbooks recommended by school districts, state boards of education, and publishers. While textbooks touched on the knowledge and content areas for each skill set, skills were not taught to the extent that the skill was achieved or using a scaffolded approach that showed significant growth from middle to high school textbooks. As a result, young people receive inadequate content to competently perform the skills recommended by current National Standards. Changing state and district level health and sex education policies and aligning the curriculum with these standards, can better promote youth sexual decision-making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The focus of this pilot study was to ascertain how bereaved African American caregivers prepared for the death of an older family member who died from a dementia-related diagnosis and the role of hospice care; an area with little research to date. Because African American older adults in the United States are at greater risk than Caucasian older adults for dementia-related health problems though less likely to be diagnosed, treated, or to enroll in hospice services, this exploratory study asked questions of the family caregivers' experiences in preparing for the death. Purposive criterion sampling was used to identify six African American bereaved caregivers whose family member lived in a nursing home (five who were enrolled in hospice services) who were extensively interviewed, with the use of conventional content analysis of the transcripts to identify the findings. Because of the limited sample size, themes identified were considered preliminary and may help guide ongoing and further research. Five primary themes revealed ways caregivers prepared: accepting reality; "I just kind of knew;" person with dementia "was ready;" "spending time;" and, getting your "business in order." All caregivers believed it was important to be prepared for the death, with the five who received hospice services reporting that they were prepared. Further research is needed to explore these preliminary findings of African American caregivers of family members with dementia at end-of-life to further inform social work and hospice team care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]