April 4-6, 2024 • Hyatt Regency • Lexington, KY
Innovations in Health Communication
Innovations in Health Communication
Abstract: Meeting Gen Z's Needs: Towards Inclusive and Accessible Digital Sexual Health Resources
Background: In an era marked by rapid digital transformation, understanding how younger generations perceive and engage with sexual health resources is important. This study investigates the sexual health information needs of adolescents and young adults, with a particular focus on Generation Z’s unique digital behaviors and preferences. With the increasing openness in conversations about sexual health in digital spaces (Smith & Ortiz, 2023), there is a substantial opportunity to disseminate information through these platforms (Benoit et al., 2022; Hensel et al., 2021). Despite this, many adolescents still lack comprehensive formal sex education before age 18 (Astle et al., 2021), highlighting the need for increased access to sexual health education via digital means. This study not only responds to an urgent public health concern but also aligns with the conference theme, Innovations in Health Communication, as it offers insights into how digital advancements can revolutionize the dissemination of sexual health information, ensuring it is both accessible and resonant with young audiences.
Methodology: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted with 300 young adults aged 18-24 to gauge their current and retrospective views on sexual health information. The survey, conducted via a Prolific, focused on digital information content, formats, and delivery preferences. A grounded theory approach (Corbin & Strauss, 2008) was employed for data analysis, with NVivo organizing the qualitative data and SPSS for statistical analysis.
Findings: The survey revealed significant gaps in online sexual health resources: only 40% of participants considered them sufficiently multicultural, and 35% suitable for individuals with disabilities or special needs. Gen Z’s preference for diverse and inclusive content was clear. There was a strong demand for inclusive and de-stigmatized content that not only acknowledges but embraces a wide spectrum of sexual orientations and identities. Other areas identified for improvement include information on relationship dynamics, consent, healthy sexual relationships, female sexual pleasure, and the impact of pornography on sexual perceptions. These findings underscore the urgent need for innovative, inclusive, and culturally sensitive digital health communication strategies that effectively address the diverse and evolving sexual health information needs of today’s youth.
Conclusion: This study illuminates the deficiencies in current digital sexual health education and emphasizes the need for adopting new media approaches, especially for reaching marginalized groups. We advocate for the development of personalized, inclusive, and accessible digital resources that not only fill the identified knowledge gaps but are also reflective of the varied experiences and identities of young individuals. Sexual health professionals are urged to integrate comprehensive, multidimensional content, including LGBTQ+ sexual health, to foster an equitable and informed landscape for sexual health education. This research addresses Gen Z’s immediate sexual health education needs and sets a precedent for future health communication initiatives. As we move forward, the challenge lies in bridging these gaps and constructing a digital world that empowers young people to navigate their sexual well-being with confidence, respect, and resilience.
Keywords: Sexual health education, digital health strategies, online information seeking
Methodology: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted with 300 young adults aged 18-24 to gauge their current and retrospective views on sexual health information. The survey, conducted via a Prolific, focused on digital information content, formats, and delivery preferences. A grounded theory approach (Corbin & Strauss, 2008) was employed for data analysis, with NVivo organizing the qualitative data and SPSS for statistical analysis.
Findings: The survey revealed significant gaps in online sexual health resources: only 40% of participants considered them sufficiently multicultural, and 35% suitable for individuals with disabilities or special needs. Gen Z’s preference for diverse and inclusive content was clear. There was a strong demand for inclusive and de-stigmatized content that not only acknowledges but embraces a wide spectrum of sexual orientations and identities. Other areas identified for improvement include information on relationship dynamics, consent, healthy sexual relationships, female sexual pleasure, and the impact of pornography on sexual perceptions. These findings underscore the urgent need for innovative, inclusive, and culturally sensitive digital health communication strategies that effectively address the diverse and evolving sexual health information needs of today’s youth.
Conclusion: This study illuminates the deficiencies in current digital sexual health education and emphasizes the need for adopting new media approaches, especially for reaching marginalized groups. We advocate for the development of personalized, inclusive, and accessible digital resources that not only fill the identified knowledge gaps but are also reflective of the varied experiences and identities of young individuals. Sexual health professionals are urged to integrate comprehensive, multidimensional content, including LGBTQ+ sexual health, to foster an equitable and informed landscape for sexual health education. This research addresses Gen Z’s immediate sexual health education needs and sets a precedent for future health communication initiatives. As we move forward, the challenge lies in bridging these gaps and constructing a digital world that empowers young people to navigate their sexual well-being with confidence, respect, and resilience.
Keywords: Sexual health education, digital health strategies, online information seeking