Knowledge and Perception of Sexual Health among Medical Undergraduates: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: Sexual health education is paramount in curbing the rising numbers of sexual transmitted diseases in Malaysia. Medical undergraduates which are the future frontier play an utmost role in educating and quell the social barrier in discussion on this taboo topic. We aimed to determine the knowledge, perception and factors affecting sexual health education among medical students in MMMC and to advocate sexual health education at primary level. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 309 respondents comprises of Year 3, 4 and 5. Results: There was significant association between age, gender, religion and ethnicity and sexual health knowledge and perception score. Pearson correlation coefficient shows there was positive correlation (r = 0.059) between total sexual health knowledge percentage score and total perception score but was not significant. Conclusion: Medical undergraduates should improve their knowledge and perception regarding sexual health education. It is recommended to implement sexual education in high school curriculum and institution of higher learning in Malaysia as it is not implemented yet here due to political and religion sensitivity. It is also important that students develop personalities that are ready to accept exchange and contribute sensitive issues such as sexual health.

Sex Knowledge and Attitude Among Medical Interns in a Tertiary Care Hospital Attached to Medical College in Ahmedabad, Gujarat

“…Our study had a positive correlation between sex knowledge and attitude (Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.54), similar to the findings of Tiang et al 6 and Dutt et al 11 It can be explained by the fact that increase in knowledge improves the attitude.…”

“…In this study, males had a more liberal attitude toward masturbation (P value = .03), laws regarding abortion (P value = .02), and premarital sex (P value = .03) than females, indicating increasing sexual permissiveness, which was similar to the findings of Sidi et al 26 Our study had a positive correlation between sex knowledge and attitude (Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.54), similar to the findings of Tiang et al 6 and Dutt et al 11 It can be explained by the fact that increase in knowledge improves the attitude.…”

“…Evidence-based medicine should be the basis for every discussion by medical interns. 6 But, in India, according to Aggarwal et al, 7 very few students were able to communicate with their teachers and parents about sexuality, and friends, pornographic materials, books and magazines remain as common sources of knowledge, which are not reliable.…”

Sexual Knowledge, Attitude, Behaviours and Sources of Influences in Undergraduate Medical Students in a Peripheral Medical College: A Cross-sectional Study

“…5,6 A liberal attitude towards sex without adequate knowledge can have negative consequences, such as engaging in premarital or extramarital sex or contracting sexually transmitted infections (STIs). 7,8 Sexual knowledge and a positive sexual attitude are essential for doctors and medical students to provide accurate and supportive information to patients and to have a respectful and non-judgemental approach to sexual issues. As future healthcare providers, medical interns have a key role in improving knowledge and attitudes in this neglected and stigmatized area.…”

“…Medical students should base their discussions on evidence-based medicine. 9,10 To foster a positive and non-judgemental attitude towards sexual matters, it is necessary to offer proper sexual education to doctors and medical students. 11,12 Sexual knowledge and attitude among medical students in India is a topic that has received limited attention in the existing literature, unlike in other countries where several studies have been conducted, such as Hong et al, 13 Lankamo et al, 14 Wong et al 15 and Layte et al 16 Most of the previous research in India has focused on sexual knowledge in relation to HIV/AIDS, 17 rather than on the broader aspects of sexual behaviour and attitudes.…”