BACKGROUND
School-based sex education (SE) can reduce adolescent sexual health problems. However, only 49-55% of adolescents receive SE that meets national standards. African American youth (AAY), particularly males, are less likely to receive SE. AAY evidence a high prevalence of STIs/teen pregnancy. Internet-based SE offers a supplemental option. We examined the quality and relevance to AAY of internet-based SE.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the relevance and quality of sexual health websites, particularly to African American adolescents
METHODS
We evaluated 37 sites (U.S., English, January-February 2022) meeting specific inclusion/exclusion criteria. Two evaluation indices for Relevance and General Quality were developed. Relevance criteria (to AAY) included content: a) with images of African Americans, b) specific to African American audiences, and c) addressing disparities in AAY sexual health. General Quality was assessed using an adaptation of Buhi et al.’s (2010) measures (e.g., author’s credentials, references). Relevance and General Quality criteria were scored to produce separate index scores (Relevance = 0 – 3; General Quality = 0 – 7; high scores = greater relevance, higher quality).
RESULTS
A majority (57%) of sites met all Relevance criteria; 19% achieved high General Quality scores (6-7). Relevance and General Quality were significantly correlated (r = .28, P < .05). Only 4 sites (11%) had the highest rankings on both indices (WebMd, Healthline, Harvard Health & Very Well Health).
CONCLUSIONS
A substantial minority (43%) of SE websites have low relevance to AAY and are of modest-poor quality (41%). Sites ranking high on both indices typically had more professional involvement and oversight. We recommend a similar analytic approach be applied to studying SE website relevance for LGBTQ+, other ethnic/racial, and gender-expansive sub-populations.