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Sexual health education through public service media targeting young people: experience from Finland

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Public service media (PSM) based sexual health education is a promising approach to use with young people. However, few studies to date have analysed sexual health content in Nordic PSM. A qualitative content analysis was conducted of PSM podcast content, highlighting the sexual health-related topics addressed and the opportunities for participation provided. Data were collected in line with predetermined inclusion criteria and guided by professionals working at Yle, a Finnish PSM company. Three podcasts, comprising a total of 66 episodes, met the inclusion criteria (i.e. produced between 2021 and 2023 and targeting young people). The most prevalent sexual health topics were sexual pleasure and interpersonal communication skills. Although participatory aspects were present, such as listeners choosing topics and the hosts being young people themselves, participation remained superficial due to limited dialogue. The findings highlight opportunities to enhance sexual health education and employ PSM more fully to promote young people’s sexual health, through a focus on the positive aspects of sex and sexuality that are often lacking in formal education.

Source: Sex Education

DOI: 10.1080/14681811.2026.2647170

Authors: Ronja Abrams, Johanna Nordmyr, Klas Backholm, Karin Gunnarsson, Anna K. Forsman

Institutions: Åbo Akademi University, Stockholm University

Language: English

Topic: Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health

Subfield: General Health Professions

Field: Health Professions

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Funders: Stiftelsen för Åbo Akademi, Åbo Akademi, Waldemar von Frenckells Stiftelse