TITLE:
Knowledge and Perception of Sexual Health among Medical Undergraduates: A Cross-Sectional Study
AUTHORS:
Ko-Ping Tiang, Shivaani Mukesh Chander, Melissa Tan Ching Hui, Paarteben Palaniapan
KEYWORDS:
Sexual Health, Medical Undergraduates, Knowledge, Perception, Cross-Sectional
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Epidemiology,
Vol.6 No.4,
November
10,
2016
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.