Objective
The aim of this study was to assess knowledge and attitude as regards sexual health among medical students in Menoufia University.
Background
Sexual health promotion is a worthwhile activity to prevent reproductive health hazards, sexual dysfunction, marital distress, divorce, and family breakdown. This will save the society and allow people to enjoy life.
Materials and methods
This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia University, during the period from March 2015 to December 2015. The sample size was 300 students. The students were selected from the last 3 academic years. Students were selected from each grade through the proportional allocated method. A questionnaire was designed to assess overall knowledge and attitude of students as regards different sexual health items.
Results
The majority of the students had low knowledge on sexual health problems (91.7%) and their total attitude as regards different items of sexual health issues was equivalent (53.7%). There was a highly significant difference among students of the last 3 years in the overall knowledge (χ2 = 34.4;P= 0.000) as regards sexual health and a significant difference in their overall attitude (χ2 = 10.8;P= 0.03). There was a nonsignificant difference between male and female students as regards their overall knowledge (χ2 = 0.9;P= 0.6). There was a nonsignificant difference between urban and rural students as regards their overall knowledge (χ2=2.9;P= 0.2) and their overall attitude (χ2 = 1.5;P= 0.5).
Conclusion
Menoufia undergraduate medical students' knowledge on sexual health was inadequate. Overall, students expressed equivalent attitude toward different items of sexual health issues. Students would benefit from courses on sexuality to prepare them for challenging lives as medical practitioners.