Assessment of Knowledge, Comfort and Attitudes of Physiotherapy Students Towards Human Sexuality

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge, comfort and attitudes of physiotherapy students towards human sexuality. An observational, cross-sectional study was conducted in four universities. Physiotherapy students (n = 248) enrolled in an undergraduate degree program were invited to participate and 203 (82%) were included. Students were enrolled in the first (29%), second (22%), third (33%) and fourth (16%) years of the undergraduate degree program. The instrument used was the Scale of Knowledge, Comfort and Attitudes of Physiotherapy Students towards Human Sexuality. Results indicated that students enrolled in the first year of the program reported less knowledge then students in the third (p ≤ 0.001) and fourth years (p ≤ 0.001). Students enrolled in the second year reported less knowledge than the students in the third (p = 0.007) and fourth years (p = 0.002). Students enrolled in the fourth year of the program reported more discomfort compared with students enrolled in the first year (p = 0.049). Additionally, female students showed more discomfort, especially when issues are related to male patients. These findings highlight the importance of a change in the physiotherapy curriculum to better prepare future physiotherapists in delivering holistic treatment.