Young People and Sexual Health publications
The Secondary Students and Sexual Health study series has surveyed the sexual health knowledge and behaviours of young people in Australia approximately every five years since 1992, giving an invaluable cross-section of knowledge and data on how young Australians view sex, sexual health and relationships. Funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and conducted in every state and territory across Government, Catholic and Independent schools, the series surveys students in Years 10 and 12 on their knowledge, understanding and experiences.
7th National Survey of Australian Secondary Students and Sexual Health 2021
2022
Jennifer Power, Sylvia Kauer, Christopher Fisher, Roz Bellamy and Adam Bourne
7th National Survey of Australian Secondary Students and Sexual Health 2021
The National Survey of Australian Secondary Students and Sexual Health (SSASH) is a periodic survey of sexual health among school-aged young people in Australia. In this report, we present findings from the seventh iteration. The SSASH survey reports on a range of issues related to sexual identity and experiences, STI and HIV prevention, and relationships and sexuality education and provides information about the progress of key priority areas in the Fourth National Sexually Transmissible Infections Strategy (Australian Department of Health, 2018).
Building Young People's Sexual Literacy in Digital Spaces
2022
A report that presents findings from a study that explored effective approaches to digital sexual health promotion with young people
Andrea Waling, Alexandra James, Gene Lim and Jennifer Power
Building young people's sexual literacy in digital spaces
This report presents findings from a study that explored effective approaches to digital sexual health promotion with young people. We were interested in how young people engage in online environments with topics of sex, sexuality, sexual health, relationships and bodies. We also aimed to identify innovative approaches to online sexual literacy education and sexual health promotion, and to explore ways to maximise the potential of the internet to support classroombased relationships and sexuality education (RSE).
Victorian Young People and Sexual Health 2018
2022
Findings from the 6th National Survey of Australian Secondary Students and Sexual Health
Sylvia Kauer and Christopher M Fisher
Victorian Young People and Sexual Health 2018
Victorian Young People and Sexual Health 2018 (PowerPoint slide deck)
This is a Victoria-specific report based on data from the 6th National Survey of Australian Secondary Students and Sexual Health, 2018. Findings point to key opportunities for Victoria to improve sexual health literacy, increase testing and improve awareness of vaccination status, promote safe and respectful sexual experiences and safe online sexual behaviour and improve the relationships and sexuality education and sexual health information young Victorians receive.
Young People and Sources of Sexual Health Information
2020
A Report
Andrea Waling, Suzanne Fraser and Christopher Fisher
Young People and Sources of Sexual Health Information
This report presents research findings from a study exploring young people’s experiences in accessing and assessing sources of sexual health information.
Young people, sexual literacy and sources of knowledge
2019
A Review
Andrea Waling, Lucille Kerr, Suzanne Fraser, Adam Bourne and Marina Carman
Young people, sexual literacy and sources of knowledge (PDF, 0.9MB)
This research report presents the findings of a broad literature review exploring influences on sexual health of young people, and a more targeted literature review exploring sources of sexual health information for young people. Commissioned by the Department of Health, this review sought to identify the major influences on the sexual health and well-being of young people, what sources of information young people look to for their sexual health information, and how those sources of information are integrated within the lives of young people.
ARCSHS National Survey of Australian Secondary Students and Sexual Health 1992-2018: Trends over time
2019
Six Waves of the National Survey of Australian Secondary Students and Sexual Health
Christopher M Fisher and Sylvia Kauer
Over the last 25 years, the National Survey of Australian Secondary Students and Sexual Health has provided a robust snapshot of young people’s sexual health knowledge and behaviours in Australia. The cross-sectional survey is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and has been conducted approximately every five years since 1992. Over the years, the survey has involved 15,756 students in Years 10 and 12, from the Government, Catholic and Independent school systems, and from every Australian state and territory. This Trends Over Time monograph reports, for the first time, on comparable questions across all iterations of the survey. Comparisons highlight how Australian secondary students’ sexual health knowledge and practices have—and have not— changed over 25 years. Trend analyses indicate where progress in improving key determinants of sexual health and wellbeing among young people has been observed, as well as areas where significant changes have not been observed. This report compares domains that were covered in three or more waves of the survey. Table 1.1 summarises these domains and indicates whether or not significant and meaningful changes were found over time, and if so, in what direction (see Chapter 3 for more detail on reporting of significant and meaningful changes).
ARCSHS Western Australian Survey of Secondary School Students and Sexual Health 2018
2019
Findings from the 6th National Survey of Australian Secondary Students and Sexual Health
Christopher M Fisher, Sylvia Kauer, Andrea Waling, Rosalind Bellamy, Paulina Ezer, Lucille Kerr, Graham Brown and Jayne Lucke
Western Australian Survey of Secondary School Students and Sexual Health 2018 (PDF, 1.8MB)
National survey of secondary students and sexual health 2018
2019
Results of the 6th National Survey of Australian Secondary Students and Sexual Health
Christopher M Fisher, Andrea Waling, Lucille Kerr, Rosalind Bellamy, Paulina Ezer, Gosia Mikolajczak, Graham Brown, Marina Carman and Jayne Lucke
National survey of secondary students and sexual health 2018 (PDF, 5.5MB)