Sexual Self-Care Topics for Primary School Teachers: A Meta-Synthesis of Qualitative Studies
Keywords:
Sexual self-care, Primary school teachers, Meta-synthesis, Sexual education, Health promotion, Teacher trainingAbstract
Purpose: This study aimed to identify, categorize, and synthesize key topics of sexual self-care education necessary for inclusion in teacher-training curricula for primary school educators.
Methods and Materials: A qualitative meta-synthesis approach was adopted to integrate and interpret the findings of prior qualitative research on sexual self-care and teacher education. The research population consisted of 1,113 studies published between 2019 and 2023 CE in English and Persian. Electronic databases—including Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, Google Scholar, Noormags, and Elmnet—were systematically searched using relevant keywords. After multi-stage screening based on title, duplication, abstract, and content relevance, 30 studies were included for final analysis. Data were organized and coded through open, axial, and selective coding using Erwin et al.’s (2011) six-step meta-synthesis framework. Credibility, transferability, dependability, and confirmability were assessed according to Lincoln and Guba’s (1994) criteria.
Findings: The analysis yielded four major thematic categories and 56 sub-topics representing the domains of sexual self-care required for teacher preparation. The main categories included (1) sexual concepts—covering gender identity, sexual ethics, roles, and self-protection; (2) health, hygiene, and development—including puberty, reproductive health, and mental well-being; (3) personal and social skills—emphasizing communication, assertiveness, and media literacy; and (4) cultural, religious, and legal topics—integrating moral education, religious values, and knowledge of child-protection laws. The synthesis confirmed that comprehensive and culturally grounded training equips teachers with both ethical sensitivity and scientific competence, fostering safer learning environments.
Conclusion: Sexual self-care education for primary-school teachers must be multidimensional, integrating cognitive, behavioral, emotional, cultural, and legal competencies. Embedding these dimensions in teacher-training curricula can strengthen educators’ ability to promote children’s sexual health, safety, and moral development.
Downloads
References
Ali, A. S. A. A. A., Lamia, L., Sawitri, B., Mohammed, H. T., & Moqbel, H. H. (2024). Adolescent Premarital Sexual Behavior: A Narrative Review of Challenges, and the Vital Role of Comprehensive Sex Education in Promoting Health and Well-being in Islamic Countries. Surabaya Psychiatry Journal/Jurnal Psikiatri Surabaya, 13(1). https://doi.org/10.20473/jps.v13i1.53690
Bakhtiari, A., & Pasha, H. (2019). A review of children's sexual health education from the perspective of Islam. Islam and health, 10(4), 54-65. https://www.noormags.ir/view/fa/articlepage/1874543
Balali, S., Salimanporomran, M., Afrasyabi, R., & Esmaeilishad, B. (2021). Designing the theoretical framework of the sexual ethics education curriculum: a qualitative research. Research in Curriculum Planning, 69(18), 18-28. https://www.noormags.ir/view/fa/articlepage/1815154
Biranavand, Z., Qaedi, Y., Zarghami, S., & Farmehinifaranpanani, M. (2021). Analyzing the place of the concept of sexual intelligence in the virtual space based on the goals of the philosophy curriculum for children. Education and Learning Research, 34(18), 131-143. https://www.noormags.ir/view/fa/articlepage/2018454
Cazacu-Stratu, A. (2021). Health Promotion And Health Education In Schools. One Health and Risk Management, 2(4s), 12. https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85173955278&partnerID=40&md5=16a08e71c673cf2dc13c6349e43fff4c
Chaiwongroj, C., & Buaraphan, K. (2020). Development and effectiveness assessment of a sex education learning unit for Thai primary students. Journal of Health Research, 34(3), 183-193. https://doi.org/10.1108/JHR-02-2019-0039
Choi, Y., Kang, S., Kim, J. S., Kwon, I., & Lee, M. (2020). School Health Needs Assessment in Chanchamayo, Peru: A Health Promoting School Project. Frontiers in Public Health, 8, 333. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2020.00333
Coime-España, G., Vergara-Jiménez, L. M., Reyes-Narváez, M. F., Quintero-Mora, R. G., & Osorio, R. G. (2022). Attitudes of secondary school teachers towards sex education of adolescents. Hacia la Promoción de la Salud, 27(2), 203-221. https://doi.org/10.17151/hpsal.2022.27.2.15
Díaz-Rodríguez, M. V., Perelló, V. B. i., Granero-Molina, J., Fernández-Medina, I. M., Ventura-Miranda, M. I., & Jiménez-Lasserrotte, M. d. M. (2024). Insights from a Qualitative Exploration of Adolescents' Opinions on Sex Education. Children, 11, 110. https://doi.org/10.3390/children11010110
Etemadi Zadeh, H. A., & Nori, A. (2019). Identifying and classifying the basic issues of elementary school students related to gender and sexual issues.
Ezer, P., Jones, T., Fisher, C., & Power, J. (2019). A critical discourse analysis of sexuality education in the Australian curriculum. Sex Education, 19(5), 551-567. https://doi.org/10.1080/14681811.2018.1553709
Goldfarb, E. S., & Lieberman, L. D. (2021). Three decades of research: The case for comprehensive sex education. Journal of Adolescent Health, 68(1), 13-27. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2020.07.036
Haji Zadeh, M., Mohseni Deheklani, M., Jacpehani, A., & Izdi fard, A. (2021). Designing an Islamic model of sex education for children with a jurisprudential approach. Research in Islamic Education Issues, 29(52), 291-313. https://iej.ihu.ac.ir/article_206814_8eb8a4936559beeea2925b5f9639179f.pdf
Hajipoor Bagheri, R. (2024). Target Setting for Sexual Education in Elementary Schools According to Islamic Teachings. Research on Islamic Education Issues, 32(62), 221-246.
Hijazi, Z., Ghadari, M., Sadeghi, A., Samadi, P., & Nikenam, Z. (2021). Synthesis of home-school sexual education curriculum components and actors. Journal of Educational Research, 8(42), 78-114. https://c4i2016.khu.ac.ir/erj/article-1-999-en.html
Jeti, L., Tarno, A., Susanto, A., Rachmi, T., & Maimuna, B. (2024). Parents' perceptions of sex education for early childhood in preventing child abuse. Journal of Social Science Research, 4(4), 1-11. http://j-innovative.org/index.php/Innovative/article/view/14176
Karami, N. K. (2024). Foundations, Principles, and Objectives of Sexual Education in Islam and the West. Ethics Research, 55(14), 173-192.
Klon, W., Waszyńska, K., & Zachorska, M. F. (2023). Sex education in teachers opinion. Journal of Sexual and Mental Health, 21, 34-40. https://doi.org/10.5603/jsmh.92932
Kord, H., Karimi, M., Fotreti, S., & Pourkhosravi, P. (2024). Investigating the Role of Teachers in Sexual Education of Students and Prevention of Deviations and Social Harms. 1st International Conference on Distinguished Teachers and Modern Schools, Hamadan.
Li, Q., Miao, Y., Zeng, X., Tarimo, C. S., Wu, C., & Wu, J. (2020). Prevalence and factors for anxiety during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic among the teachers in China. Journal of affective disorders, 277, 153-158. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2020.08.017
MahmadBigi, R., Faqieyi, A., & Nateghi, F. (2019). Examining the curriculum of sex education in primary school based on teachers' point of view and providing optimal solutions from experts' point of view. Bimonthly journal of theory and practice in the curriculum, 6(12), 141-166. https://www.jcstpicsa.ir/article_191531.html
Martin, J., Riazi, H., Firoozi, A., & Nasiri, M. (2020). A sex education program for teachers of preschool children: a quasi-experimental study in Iran. BMC public health, 20(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-020-08826-y
Memar, zahara, F., khoda, F., & Tahamineh. (2022). Reproductive and sexual health outcomes in child-adolescent sexual abuse victims and preventive strategies: a review. Psychosomatic research updates, 1(1), 50-71. https://doi.org/10.32598/cpr.1.1.55.1
Morris, L. H. (2022). How School Dictionaries Treat Human Reproductive Organs, and Recommendations for South African Primary School Dictionaries. Lexikos, 32(3), 123-143. https://lexikos.journals.ac.za/pub/article/view/1734
Musavi, M. (2024). The Effect of Sexual Education on the Postpartum Women’s Sexual Self-Confidence and Self-Efficacy: A Theory-Based Intervention. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 24(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-024-06255-y
Naderi, N., & Koshti Ara, N. (2022). Obstacles and challenges facing sex education in terms of cultural values from the point of view of teachers of girls' primary public schools in the first district of Isfahan. Philosophy Approach in Schools and Organizations, 1(1), 44-53. https://www.esbam.ir/article_166089.html
NoralizadehMianji, M., & Rahimi, A. (2022). Patterns of health-oriented sex education in the growth process. Scientific Quarterly Journal of Islamic Education, 17(41), 15-30. https://islamicedu.rihu.ac.ir/article_1987.html
Ogur, C., Olcay, S., & Baloglu, M. (2023). An International Study: Teachers' Opinions About Individuals With Developmental Disabilities Regarding Sexuality Education. Sexuality and Disability, 41(4), 739-756. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11195-023-09810-1
Pereira, C. O., Pimentel, R. M. M., Leitão, F. N. C., Moraes, S., Maia, P., Santos, E. V. L., Freitas, M. N. R., Trigueiro, G., Gouveia Filho, P. S., & Abreu, L. C. (2020). Sexual Violence against Children and Adolescents Taking Place in Schools: An Integrative Review. Children (Basel), 7(12). https://doi.org/10.3390/children7120258
Qadirianpour, S., Abbasi, E., & Kian, M. (2021). Analyzing the place and role of sex education in the elementary school and providing an educational framework. Educational Innovations, 79(20), 217-238. https://www.noormags.ir/view/fa/articlepage/1808164
Rabie, T., & Klopper, H. C. (2015). Guidelines to facilitate self-care among older persons in South Africa. Health Sa Gesondheid, 20(1), 33-34. https://doi.org/10.4102/hsag.v20i1.918
Rafiei Far, S., Yazdani, S., & Moghimi, D. (2014). A guide for empowering families for self-care (especially for family doctors and health teams). Mehr Ravosh Publications.
Rahimi Khalifeh Kandi, Z., Ebadi Fard Azar, F., Farahani, F. K., Azadi, N., & Mansourian, M. (2023). Analyzing the concept of sexual self-care in preschool children: A qualitative study. Journal of education and health promotion, 12(1), 118. https://doi.org/10.4103/jehp.jehp_551_22
Saidirizvani, M., Gholami, F., & Bagheri, H. (2020). The focal competencies of the sex education instructor. Curriculum Research, 9(2), 163-199. https://www.sid.ir/paper/202771/en
Samdi, P., & Ghalavand, Z. (2022). Synthesis of sex education curriculum elements in general education. Education and Learning Research, 150(38), 7-26. https://qjoe.ir/article-1-1921-en.html
Tahamasbzadegsheykhlar, h., Azimpur, c., Imanzadeh, e., & Ebaszadeh, e. (2021). Studying the process of sex education of Iranian adolescents: the foundation data theory. Curriculum Research, 22(11), 126-153. https://www.noormags.ir/view/fa/articlepage/1857310
Tanaka, Y., Araullo, G. O., Tuliao, M. T. R., Yamashita, T., Okuda, K., Baua, E. C., & Matsuo, H. (2020). The Current Situation and Issues of Sexual Health Education by School Nurses in Muntinlupa City, Philippines. Universal Journal of Public Health, 8, 185-192. https://doi.org/10.13189/ujph.2020.080601
Taylor, R. J., Shade, K., Lowry, S. J., & Ahrens, K. (2020). Evaluation of reproductive health education in transition-age youth. Children and Youth Services Review, 108, 104530. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2019.104530
Zhang, B. (2023). Analysis of the Importance of Gender Identity Information and Sex Education in Social Media and School. CHR, 6, 31-36. https://doi.org/10.54254/2753-7064/6/20230044
Downloads
Published
Submitted
Revised
Accepted
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Hameedeh Hojjat, Seyed Abdulvahab Samavi, Nematollah Mousapour, Fatemeh Zahra Ahmadi (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
