Sex education, awareness and perception among adolescents: a cross sectional study from Central Kerala

Authors

  • Angitha Anilkumar Department of Community Medicine, Pushpagiri Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Tiruvalla, Kerala, India
  • Ann Mary Varghese Department of Community Medicine, Pushpagiri Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Tiruvalla, Kerala, India
  • Chris Joseph Mathews Department of Community Medicine, Pushpagiri Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Tiruvalla, Kerala, India
  • Sandra Paul Department of Community Medicine, Pushpagiri Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Tiruvalla, Kerala, India
  • Manasa Maria Sajan Department of Community Medicine, Pushpagiri Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Tiruvalla, Kerala, India
  • Sruthi Ann Joseph Department of Community Medicine, Pushpagiri Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Tiruvalla, Kerala, India
  • Betsy A. Jose Department of Community Medicine, Pushpagiri Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Tiruvalla, Kerala, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20222899

Keywords:

Sex education, Adolescents, Knowledge, Awareness, Perception

Abstract

Background: Teenagers exhibit little awareness of, or interest in, the normal processes of puberty, sexual health, pregnancy, or reproduction. They also have limited knowledge of sexual and reproductive fitness. Because sexual education is a lifelong process, it should be a fundamental component of development and understanding beginning in adolescence and continuing into adulthood.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was undertaken among Central Kerala school students in the adolescent age group (13-18 years) with both genders. The students were provided with a pre-tested questionnaire on their knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of sex education as well as a proforma on the socio demographic details.

Results: The majority of research participants 30.1% were 17 years old, although the average age was 16 (±1.43 years). 67.9% of the participants were girls, and 32.1% were boys. Sex of the participant has association with knowledge, attitude and perception on sex education. Socio demographic factors tend to affect the knowledge. In the present study, attitude towards sex education has association with the sex of the participant and the syllabus they are studying.

Conclusions: Just over half of the pupils have adequate understanding about sexual education. This demonstrates the importance of delivering sex education classes for adolescent kids on a regular basis. School based educational classes can be promoted wherein, a more familiar and comfortable person like the teachers, who are trained by medical professionals, can impart the adequate knowledge to the students.

 

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Published

2022-10-29

How to Cite

Anilkumar, A., Varghese, A. M., Mathews, C. J., Paul, S., Sajan, M. M., Joseph, S. A., & Jose, B. A. (2022). Sex education, awareness and perception among adolescents: a cross sectional study from Central Kerala. International Journal Of Community Medicine And Public Health, 9(11), 4081–4085. https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20222899

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Original Research Articles