THE ROLE OF SCHOOL SEXUAL EDUCATION IN HEALTH PROMOTION

Sexuality is an integral part of personality of each human being. No earnestly conducted sex education is a common cause of engaging in risky sexual behaviours. The aim of the study is to evaluate the role of sex education in health promotion and to present the results of the studies of the effects of school sex education on sexual behaviour of young people.

The period of adolescence is characterized by a more frequent risk-taking behaviour. Among adolescents it is observed that the average age of sexual initiation has decreased, the frequency of making sexual contact and a number of sexual partners has increased, as well as the insufficient dissemination of the use of condoms and other methods of ontraception every time sexual intercourse takes place. The task of health promotion is to influence determinants of health, among others, through sex education. Research confirms the positive impact of complex sex education, carried out in accordance with the recommendations of international organizations, on a lower frequency of engaging in risky sexual behaviour. It seems appropriate to take action to disseminate appropriate for the level of psychosexual development sex education in schools.