Moving Towards a Holistic Paradigm : Teaching Sexuality Education in a New Zealand University

Aim: Using a qualitative approach, the aim was to investigate the existence of a change in the basic assumptions, or paradigms , in tertiary health education students following a sexuality education course. Study Design : Qualitative research using Nvivo analysis was utilised. Place and Duration of the Study : The research took place at the University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand between July and October, 2014. Methodology : The sample included 21 students enrolled in a sexuality education course. The majority of students were health education majors in the Bachelor of Health Sciences degree. All students completed pre - and post - cou rse questionnaires and a random sample of the students were also selected to participate in focus group discussions. Students were questioned regarding their understanding of sexuality, their perceptions of sexuality issues facing New Zealanders, and Original Research Article