72% of Brits say their sex education at school was inadequate 

• New research has revealed that 72% of people in the UK feel that their sex education at school was very basic or poor 
• Only 11% of Brits feel that their sex education was good or excellent 
• Schools in Belfast, Edinburgh and Bristol are providing the best sex education 
• Schools in Liverpool, Sheffield & Nottingham are providing the most inadequate sex education

New research has revealed that 72% of the UK say their sex education at school was inadequate, describing it as either very basic or poor.

Superdrug conducted a survey of 2,000 sexually active adults, in a campaign to help break the taboo around STIs and help people openly discuss their experiences more. One of the major areas causing stigma is a lack of education, and the study found just 11% said their sex education experience was “good” or “excellent”

1. It was very basic – 46.41%
2. It was poor -25.50%
3. It was okay but didn’t cover STIs in detail – 17.32%
4. It was good but didn’t cover STIs in detail –  6.14%
5. It was excellent – I learned all I needed to – 4.64%

Where in the UK has the best sex education?

Rank	City	Total % rating sexual education as good or excellent
1	Belfast	17.54%
2	Edinburgh	15.66%
3	Bristol	14.29%
4	Norwich	12.99%
5	London	11.83%

Belfast stands as the city where schools are providing the best sex education, with 17.54% of those surveyed from this region rating their sex education as good or excellent. This is 59% higher than the UK average of 11%. 

Edinburgh and Bristol follow closely in the top three with 15.66% and 14.29% of those surveyed respectively rating their sex education as good or excellent. 

Where in the UK has the worst sex education?

Rank	City	Total % rating sexual education as poor or basic
1	Liverpool	80.68%
2	Sheffield	80.46%
3	Nottingham	79.72%
4	Cardiff	79.49%
5	Newcastle	78.13%

Liverpool stands as the city where schools are providing the most inadequate sex education, with 80.68% of those surveyed from this region rating their sex education as poor or basic. This is 12% higher than the UK average of 72%. 

Sheffield and Nottingham follow closely in the top three with 80.46% and 79.72% of those surveyed respectively rating their sex education as poor or basic. 

How is stigma around STIs impacting people’s daily life?

With hundreds of years of stigmatisation and poor education to overcome, it is no surprise that  STIs can greatly impact people’s everyday lives beyond physical symptoms.

A huge 91% say that an STI diagnosis would negatively impact their mental health, relationships, social life, love life, general confidence, and even their career. 

1. It would negatively impact my love life 52.69%
2. It would negatively impact my relationships with partners 51.70%
3. It would negatively impact my general confidence 46.96%
4. It would negatively impact my mental health 42.91%
5. It would negatively impact my social life 22.46%
6. It would have no impact 9.08%
7. It would negatively impact my career 7.53%