Facilitating parent-child sexual health communication: Recommendations from the New Brunswick "Ask Me Anything" survey.

This article focuses on the sexual health education practices and needs of parents, step-parents, and guardians in New Brunswick (NB), Canada, a province with high rates of sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections (STBBIs) and unplanned pregnancies among youth. Surveying 5,462 caregivers, the study found that most consider themselves primarily responsible for their children's sexual health education and feel knowledgeable and comfortable discussing these topics, though communication occurs moderately and satisfaction with existing resources and school-based education is ambivalent. Approximately one-third of participants expressed a need for additional resources, particularly those that support school-based education and provide guidance on age-appropriate topics, favoring paper-based materials like brochures and online resources such as websites and interactive tools. The study recommends developing resources in collaboration with schools and healthcare providers, focusing on age-appropriate content and communication strategies, and prioritizing accessible online and paper formats over in-person sessions. These findings highlight opportunities for provincial health authorities and educators to enhance sexual health education support tailored to NB parents' specific needs.