The development of a conceptual framework and model of sexual health education in upper secondary schools in northern Viet Nam

The development of a conceptual framework and model for sexual health education in upper secondary schools in Northern Viet Nam Nearly half the Vietnamese population is under 25 years, and among this group, there is a rapidly rising incidence HIV and STD’s. There is an urgent need to develop strategies to improve young people’s knowledge and understanding of sexual health. Currently, teachers lack the knowledge and confidence to effectively teach sexual health and there was no conceptual framework underpinning the curriculum (Thanh, 2010). This study developed a conceptual framework and model for sexual health education programmes for upper secondary schools in North Viet Nam and made recommendations for education policy and practice. The study methods were based on the first cycle in action research, an approach recognised in Viet Nam for changing professional practice. Key to this study was Jarvis’ (2004) description of lifelong learning, Kolb’s (1984) experiential learning cycle and Problem Based Learning teaching documentation and discussions with Vietnamese government officials and NGO’s working in sexual health. The findings revealed that most pupils did not understand or did not practice safe sex, and all wanted more knowledge and information. Teachers reported limited knowledge and a reluctance to teach this subject. When the new conceptual framework and models were piloted, they were seen as accessible, acceptable and appropriate for the education system in Viet Nam, and demonstrated measurable changes in teaching and learning. The study is unique, in that it was designed with ministerial support for strategic implementation and sustainability. The Vietnamese government has accepted it. At their instigation, the research is already being used by an international working group for sexual health education in schools. It is also being used by a second international group, working to improve nurse education, and as a result is being piloted in undergraduate nursing programmes