Research to action: Tailored sexual health information for newcomer youth

Newcomer youth in Canada are navigating far more than a new school system or a new language; youth are also trying to understand and adapt to unfamiliar healthcare systems and different social norms, as well as new expectations about relationships and sexual health. Too often, however, this journey is shaped by uncertainty, silence and a lack of access to trusted information.

In response, the Sex Information and Education Council of Canada (SIECCAN) is leading the STBBI Prevention and Sexual Health Promotion project for newcomer youth, funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada through the HIV and Hepatitis C Community Action Fund. As part of this project, SIECCAN collaborated with community partners to conduct focus group discussions with newcomer youth and organizations that work with youth. We also conducted a national survey of young people across Canada to inform the development of sexual and reproductive health resources.  

By grounding resource development in the voices and experiences of young people, this project aims to support newcomer youth with culturally responsive, trustworthy sexual health information that supports their well-being, autonomy and ability to make informed decisions.

What are newcomer youth looking for?

Findings from SIECCAN’s national survey and focus group discussions demonstrate that newcomer youth need:

• Accurate, easy-to-understand sexual health information about safer sex methods, contraceptive use, healthy relationships and consent
• Clear guidance on where and how to access services, including contraception and sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing, prevention and treatment
• Culturally responsive education that respects their identities, values and lived experiences
• Safe, non-judgmental spaces to ask questions without fear of stigma, shame or confidentiality issues

When these needs are not met, youth are more likely to delay care, rely unknowingly on misinformation, or feel isolated in navigating their sexual health alone. For a lot of newcomer youth in Canada, these defining barriers reflect the struggle to adapt to a different country, which in turn impacts their sexual health and overall sense of well-being.

What do service providers need to address newcomer youth sexual health?

In our consultations across Canada, service providers such as educators, healthcare providers and settlement workers want to better support newcomer youth. Yet, many report needing more tools, training and resources to do so effectively.

Service providers consistently reported needing:

• Guidance on how to initiate sensitive sexual health conversations
• Scenario-based tools that reflect the real experiences of newcomer youth
• Culturally relevant, youth-friendly and multilingual sexual health resources
• Training in cultural safety, trauma-informed approaches and inclusive care

While providers are committed, they share that our systems are still evolving to meet the needs of increasingly diverse youth populations. Without these supports, providers struggle to meet the needs of newcomer youth, unintentionally reinforcing barriers to sexual health information instead of removing them.

Why are the stakes so high?

Newcomer youth are offered much more than knowledge when they receive culturally responsive, tailored, accurate and reliable sexual health information. By learning about topics such as anatomy, relationships, consent, contraception and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), they can develop greater confidence in their bodies, learn to establish boundaries and strengthen their communication and interpersonal skills.

Tailored sexual health education can change lives when it is delivered in spaces that are safe, culturally responsive and rooted in trust. Inclusive, private and trustworthy environments empower newcomer youth to ask questions, seek care without fear, feel respected, and make informed decisions for their sexual health and well-being.

What is SIECCAN doing to fill the gaps?

SIECCAN’s work is dedicated to prioritizing youth perspectives, collaborating with community organizations, and utilizing evidence-based practices to ensure that sexual health education in Canada addresses the needs of youth. We aim to create culturally responsive and trauma-informed sexual health education resources to support service providers who work directly with youth.

SIECCAN recently developed new sexual health promotion resources specifically designed for newcomer youth. These resources are based on the needs identified from our research with newcomer youth and from consultations with professionals who work with them, such as settlement agencies, healthcare providers and youth organizations. They include:

• Two infographics on sexual health informationneeds and access barriers informed by our national survey of 955 newcomer youth in Canada
• Two youth-focused fact sheets on STI testing and prevention, written in plain language and informed by the latest evidence-based practices
• Translations in multiple languages, including Chinese, Spanish and Punjabi for wider accessibility across linguistic and cultural communities

SIECCAN is also developing scenario-based, culturally relevant and youth-friendly tools for service providers on strategies for offering sexual health information in ways that are respectful, inclusive and effective for newcomer youth.

Access to sexual health information and services is a fundamental right for all young people, regardless of their background or origin. Newcomer youth can thrive, not just survive, when there is access to sexual health information tailored to individual needs, helping each newcomer stay informed and feel supported in their sexual and reproductive decision-making.

Ada Madubueze has a graduate degree in epidemiology with a research focus on perinatal, sexual and reproductive health. She oversees the prevention of gender-based violence and the promotion of newcomer youth sexual health projects.

Arlette Ibrahim completed her graduate studies in public health with a focus in global health, in particular concerning menstrual hygiene management. She is a part of SIECCAN’s Newcomer Youth in Canada and Developing and Implementing Effective Sexual Health Education projects.