Teachers as promoters of sex education among adolescents with mental retardation

Adolescents with mental retardation have the right to receive health information including sex education. This study aims to obtain information about the sex education practices implemented by teachers at Special School-C Dharma Asih in Depok 2018. The study used a qualitative approach with Rapid Assessment Procedure (RAP) design. The research participant consisted of eight teachers, the headmaster, parents of student, a health promotion officer at the Depok Jaya Primary Health Care, and staff at Regional 2 Education Branch Office of West Java Province. The results showed that sex education was provided classically and incidentally at Special School-C Dharma Asih. The teachers not only had adequate knowledge of sex education but also believed that sex education should be given to adolescent with mental retardation as early as possible. The constraints faced by the teacher included the lack of a sex education module and educational tools that support sex education in schools. Schools do not have specific policies related to sex education of adolescents with mental retardation. Cooperation between teachers, parents, primary health care workers, and education offices has not been optimal for encouraging sex education. This study suggests that the involvement of all stakeholders in the development of special policies related to sex education for adolescents with mental retardation should be encouraged.