Module: Sexual Health & Sexual Health Promotion

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Sexual Health & Sexual Health Promotion
Module Code	HEA1019 (ITS: NS5060)
Faculty	Nursing, PsyT & Comm Health	School	Science & Health
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	10

Description

On successful completion this module will provide students with the knowledge, skills and competence to discuss, critically debate and potentially implement sexual health promotion in a variety of settings

Learning Outcomes

1. Critically discuss and debate how positive sexual health fits into the overall concept of health and well being while taking account of reproductive health issues.
2. Evaluate and examine the impact of gender, sexual orientation, age, cultural norms on sexual health and sexual behaviour.
3. Analyse the potential impact of sexually transmitted infections on the individual, family and society.
4. Critically question the theories, principles and approaches used in sexual health promotion.
5. Critically explore the application and implementation of sexual health promotion within a variety of settings (including one-to-one and groups).

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	24	No Description
Assignment Completion	50	No Description
Online activity	60	No Description
Directed learning	30	No Description
Independent Study	86	No Description
Online activity	16	Participation in online discussion forums and group activities during module to support learning.
Lecture	24	Face to face lectures on campus. The lectures will incorporate a variety of teaching methods including group work, student led activities, debates and multimedia resources.
Independent Study	210	Reading and preparing assignment for module. Accessing Library databases. Self directed study
Total Workload: 500

Section Breakdown
CRN	10787	Part of Term	Semester 1
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Mel Duffy	Module Teacher	Eileen Courtney

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Completion of online activity	Students will undertake the Making Every Contact Count HSE training module see: https://www.hse.ie/eng/about/who/healthwellbeing/making-every-contact-count/ 80% of GP consultations and 60% of hospital bed days relate to chronic diseases. By Making Every Contact Count health professionals can encourage patients to make healthier lifestyle choices during routine contacts to help prevent and manage chronic diseases. The E-learning training programme consists of 6 x 30-minute e-learning modules. On successful completion, the student is awarded a MECC certificate. The certificate will be submitted as an element of the NS5060 assessment and will be worth 35%	35%	Week 9
Essay	Students will write an essay on an aspect of sexual health promotion relating to their area of practice taking account of the National Sexual Health Strategy goals and recommendations.	65%	Week 20

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Issues in sexual health practice
Sexual behaviour and attitudes.

Contraception methods across the lifespan.

STIs treatment, management, impact and prevention ( including HIV).

Risk and vulnerability as they apply to sexual health.

Improving sexual health status.

Link between reproductive health and sexual health.

Gender and sexual health.

Sexual health across the lifespan.

Link between health and sexual health.

Sexual health responding to cultural aspects and influences.

Sexual violence.

Referral agencies and services.

Sexual health promotion
Health promotion theory and practice to support sexual health promotion approaches. Methods and strategies to promote sexual health.

Implementing sexual health promotion in a variety of settings.

Positive sexual health/Negative sexual health.

Sexual health policy.

Sex education and young people

Public health and sexual health.

Talking about sexual health with individuals.

Stigma and sexual health promotion.

Safer Sex.

Sex education approaches.

Sexual health campaigns.

Research and sexual health promotion

Sexuality and sexual health
Attitudes to sexuality issues.

Impact of sexuality on sexual health ( including sexual orientation).

Sexuality and wellbeing.

Consent and sexuality

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Everett S: 2014, Handbook of Contraception and Sexual Health, Routledge, London,
Wellings K, Mitchell K & Collumbien M: 2012, Sexual Health a Public Health Perspective, Open University Press,
Andrews G: 2005, Women’s Sexual Health,
Serrant L & Muluskey J: 2008, The Sexual Health of Men, CRC Press,
French K: 2009, Sexual Health for Nurses, Wiley Blackwell, UK,
Gott M: 2005, Sexuality and Ageing, Open University Press,
Simovska, Venka,: 2015, Health education: sexuality education in different contexts: limitations and possibilities, Emerald, Bradford, England] :,
Snelling, Anastasia,: 2014, Introduction to health promotion, Jossey-Bass 2014, California :,
Allensworth, Diane DeMuth,: 2017, Health promotion programs: from theory to practice, 2ed, Jossey-Bass 2017, Published San Francisco, California :,

Articles:

Department of Health: 2015, National Sexual Health Strategy, 45186
2012: Better Sexual Health for Ireland Policy Statement, 45187, 1
Irish Contraceptive and Crisis Pregnancy Study: 45188, 2, Hyde et al
Crisis Pregnancy Agency: 45189, 2, Forsyth S & Rogstad K, 2015
No.15 Vol 5:

Other Resources

None