Sexual health education among undergraduate students of medicine
Loading...
Authors
Olímpio, Larissa Martins
Olímpio, Larissa Martins
Spessoto, Luís Cesar Fava
Fácio, Fernando Nestor Jr
Issue Date
2020-04
Type
Article
Language
en_US
Keywords
Sexuality , Sexual Health , Medical Education , Undergraduate Course in Medicine
Alternative Title
Abstract
Background:
Sexuality occupies a fundamental position in the lives of individuals and is related to general health. However, undergraduate curricula in medical courses address this topic in an incomplete manner. The aim of this study is to investigate sexual health education among undergraduate medical students.
Methods:
A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted with students 18 years of age and older in the fifth and sixth years of the undergraduate course in medicine in 2018. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire addressing the teaching of sexual health in the first four years of the course and how knowledge on this topic affected their relationships with patients.
Results:
A total of 125 students answered the questionnaire. Although the majority reported the teaching of sexual medicine during the undergraduate course, the classes were focused on reproduction (70%) and organic diseases (70%). A total of 52% of the respondents reported that the classes did not enhance their knowledge or confidence with regards to discussing the subject with patients. During routine care, the main difficulties the students faced in addressing the sexual health of patients were fear of offending the patient (53.8%) and insufficient knowledge on the subject (33.4%).
Conclusions:
The present findings demonstrate that knowledge of students regarding sexual health in undergraduate courses is insufficient, as evidenced by deficiencies in teaching and difficulties in addressing the subject with patients.
Description
Citation
Olímpio, L. M., Spessoto, L. C. F., & Fácio, F. N., Jr (2020). Sexual health education among undergraduate students of medicine. Translational andrology and urology, 9(2), 510–515. https://doi.org/10.21037/tau.2020.02.13
Publisher
Translational Andrology and Urology