THURS-120 - Sexual Health Education: Building and Launching a Digital Platform for Today's College Students

Brief Abstract Summary: Learn how to create, implement, and assess an anonymous online sexual health education program that engages college students and measurably improves their knowledge. This presentation shares practical strategies from a Sexual and Reproductive Health Lab’s efforts at a large public university campus in California to launch an online 10-module Canvas course to fill knowledge gaps in sexual education. Digital accessibility allows students to learn about sexual education by interacting with the modules. Data reveals how students interact with sexual health content when given anonymous access. Pre- and post-module quizzes enable students to self-check for understanding; 20% of enrolled students completed quizzes, showing knowledge gains in four key modules. This initiative serves as a model for delivering sensitive health information to college students through accessible digital platforms that align with contemporary learning preferences.

Detailed abstract description: Learn how to create, implement, and assess an anonymous online sexual health education program that engages college students and measurably improves their knowledge. This presentation shares practical strategies from a Sexual and Reproductive Health Lab’s (SRH Lab) efforts at a large public university campus in California. The SRH Lab successfully launched an online 10-module Canvas course that tackles the challenges of delivering sensitive health information to Generation Z learners. The course was created in response to identified gaps in student sexual health knowledge at the university. Launched in Spring 2023, this course uses digital accessibility to provide comprehensive sexual health education while allowing students to learn about this traditionally stigmatized topic. Students interact with the course anonymously, interacting with the modules, taking quizzes, and asking questions. Implementation strategies to increase course enrollment and participation included (ongoing) campus-wide outreach through posters, presentations, and partnerships with student groups, as well as partnerships with faculty to create extra-credit opportunities in general education courses. These outreach strategies have resulted in an increased enrollment of students from a diversity of majors.

SRH Lab data reveals how students interact with sexual health content when given anonymous access. Assessment data from fall 2024 indicates that students who accessed the course for extra credit typically spent 1-2 hours engaging with the material. In the fall of 2023, the SRH Lab added pre- and post-quizzes for students to take before and after, respectively, looking at the modules to self-check for understanding. Pre- and post-quiz completion rates reached 20% of enrolled students, demonstrating knowledge gains in four key modules: Contraceptives, Conversations, Pregnancy, and What is Sex?. This initiative serves as a model for delivering sensitive health information to college students through accessible digital platforms that align with contemporary learning preferences. Takeaways from assessments of this course will assist participants in developing plans to create similar programs as well as those seeking to enhance existing health education initiatives. Participants will leave the session with concrete tools and strategies to implement at their institutions.