Genital body image education in young adolescent girls: A proof of concept pilot study
Gemma Sharp, Anne Nileshni Fernando
Abstract
Our research team previously developed a brief educational video aimed at increasing adolescent girls' knowledge of the variation in cisgender female genital appearance and improving attitudes towards genital appearance. This video was efficacious with 16-18-year-old girls, but their feedback suggested that younger girls may gain greater benefit. Owing to the younger age group and sensitivity of the topic, we undertook a small pilot study, using a mixed methods approach (quantitative followed by qualitative study phase), to explore the understanding of 13-15-year-old girls of their genital anatomy and body image, and their impressions of the video. The sample (N = 6) showed, on average, low-to-moderate levels of genital anatomical knowledge and genital appearance satisfaction. In qualitative interviews, thematic analysis showed girls had received limited genital-related sexual education and had not considered genitals to be part of their concept of body image. However, after watching the video, they reported an appreciation of the diversity in genital appearance and encouraged use of the video in schools to prompt discussions about genital body image. There are broader implications of this research, namely, that the education of girls about the diversity in genital appearance could be important in improving their future gynaecological and sexual well-being.