Abstract
BackgroundThere are many social and cultural factors affecting the sexual knowledge of adolescents. This study measured the sexual health knowledge level of adolescents and identified its association with role of parents, friends and school environment in adolescent girls in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.MethodsFour hundred and nineteen Saudi female students belonging to intermediate and secondary grades were randomly selected from four public and private girl schools. 255 (69.8%) students were ≤15 years and 164 (39.2%) were >15 years. A self-administered structured questionnaire comprising of socio-demographic information, role of parents and teachers, availability of school curriculum on sexual health was used. Sexual health knowledge was assessed through questions on identification of physical changes during puberty for ≤15 years and separate questions on sexually transmitted infections for >15 years.Results54% of ≤15years and 70.7% of >15 years had poor sexual health knowledge. Multivariate analysis found determinants for poor sexual health education in ≤15years are: lower education level of both parents (OR 10.87; 95% CI 2.44–48.38), second birth order or more (OR 2.32; 95% CI 1.24–4.33) and absence of school curriculum on sexual health (OR 0.56; 95% CI 0.33–0.95). Determinants for >15 years of age are : mothers with low literacy (OR 3.08, 95% CI 1.42–6.71), as for sources of poor sexual knowledge : parents (OR 10.10; 95% CI 2.70–37.74), schools (OR 6.95; 95% CI 1.95–24.78) maids (OR 4.57; 95% CI 1.26–16.59) and media (OR 5.12; 95% CI 1.29–20.07) were statistically significant factors.ConclusionGovernment agencies with collaboration of all stake holders should develop policies and programs for implementing and evaluating integrated and comprehensive sexual educational programs for adolescents in Saudi Arabia.
Highlights
There are many social and cultural factors affecting the sexual knowledge of adolescents
Univariate analysis found that adolescents not having any sister as sibling are at more risk of poor sexual health knowledge as compared to those who had sisters
Research studies have identified that age for puberty for girls is decreasing worldwide exposing the adolescents to various risk factors [40]
Summary
There are many social and cultural factors affecting the sexual knowledge of adolescents. Correct knowledge regarding sexual health is important for all especially adolescents, as they are vulnerable to adopt negative behaviors if not guided properly and at the right age [2]. Improper information on sexual health may lead to various types of health risks and social problems. Social risks may involve initiation of smoking [11], drug abuse [12], physical and sexual violence [13] young age marriages [4], and suicide [14]. Adolescent’s low level of education predisposes them to adopt negative behaviors like smoking and drug abuse, which further aggravate their risky sexual behavior [3]
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