The Federal Ministry in Nigeria has approved the implementation of a curriculum to be delivered in schools from primary grades to the tertiary level. The success of this implementation depends partially on the training of the teachers who deliver the curriculum. A major challenge is that open discussion of sexual behaviors as well as most aspects of sexual health is taboo for nearly everyone in the culture. Adults need to deliver clear messages about behavior, in order to change behavior and people’s knowledge.
This study1 identifies factors that influence training of professionals to deliver sexuality education openly and accurately to teachers, clergy, and agency serving adults in Nigeria. College lecturers who prepare pre-service teachers received specialized training in the implementation of sexuality education. Participants engaged in collaborative group learning and interacted through the sharing of ideas and values, as well as had an opportunity to practice teaching using an interactive model.
Knowledge, attitude and skill changes were identified using pre-post forms of evaluation. Though knowledge was introduced throughout the learning activities, the focus was on communication using sexuality concepts and language. Knowledge increased significantly by the end of ten days of experiential learning, as did their ability to implement various interactive learning methods with their peers. Participants expressed confidence in their ability to increase the knowledge, positive attitudes toward teaching sexuality and skills needed to stimulate behavior change.
1 Kirby, D. Success in Uganda : A Brief Summary. Retrieved on January 14, 2009 from http://www.etr.org/uganda.
Conflict of Interest: None disclosed
Financial Support/Funding: None disclosed
Recorded at the the 19th WAS World Congress for Sexual Health - Sexual Health & Rights: A Global Challenge Göteborg (Sweden) - June 21 – 25, 2009
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