SEX KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDE AMONG UNDERGRADUATE MEDICAL STUDENTS: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY
Abstract: Background: The word ‘sex’ in India is a taboo and not discussed openly. Sex attitude referes to one’s attitude toward sexuality or different sexual behaviors such as masturbation, oral sex, anal sex and sexual relationships. Poor sex knowledge causes many of these problems. Liberal attitude without adequate knowledge is harmful. Aims: The present study aimed to assess the knowledge and attitude of undergraduate medical students. Methods: a cross sectional study was carried out to assess sex knowledge and attitude among 752 medical undergraduate students. The Google document contained structured questionnaire in four important parts: (1) Demographic details of students (2) Sex Knowledge and Attitude Questionnaire II (SKAQ II). Results: The mean score of participants on attitude towards sex scale is 25.47 ±5.04. Overall participants shows conservative attitude towards sex. Female participants have statistical significantly higher sex knowledge (p=0.038) and attitude towards sex score (p<0.001). As academic year of participants increases sex knowledge increases (p<0.001). Statistical significant positive correlation was observed between sex knowledge and attitude scores (r=0.544, p<0.001). Conclusion: Participants are deficits in sex knowledge and conservative attitude in certain areas. Females, higher education level and urban area participants have higher sex knowledge and liberal attitude. Liberal attitude towards sex develops as sex knowledge increases. There are areas of sex knowledge and attitude which need improvement by proper sex education.