Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Provision of adequate sex education for youth in the US has declined over several decades. Further, Black girls in US schools, in particular, are more likely to be provided poorer quality instruction compared to their peers. METHODS: The purpose of this study was to describe unmet sex education needs among 453 young adult Black women (YABW) ages 18-22 years across the US. Data were collected in an online study from November to December 2023. Participants provided open-ended responses to a prompt asking what they wished they learned in sex education that they were not taught. Themes were developed using reflexive thematic analysis. RESULTS: Eleven themes were identified including reflections on sex education quality, mechanics of having sex, anatomy and physiology, sexually transmitted infections, emotions about sex, contraception, relationships, concerns about safety, pregnancy, personal health and accessing care, and sexuality and gender identity. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that sex education in school settings inadequately educates YABW on foundational, relevant, and practical sexual and reproductive health topics. POLICY IMPLICATIONS: Our findings highlight the need for more practical, women-focused information that meets the needs of YABW sexual and reproductive health concerns. More work across state legislatures is needed to ensure implementation of comprehensive sex education in schools.