Exploring knowledge, attitude, and practice in sexuality education across the general population in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Objective: This research explored the vital role of the general population in Saudi Arabian sexuality education, recognizing cultural conservatism. Methods: It was an observational cross-sectional quantitative study conducted in Saudi Arabia. A non-probability sampling method with a sample size of 385 was employed. Data collection was done by an online questionnaire. Results: The current study on parental involvement in sex education in Saudi Arabia included 386 participants, predominantly females (60.1%), aged 25-34 years (30.1%), married (58.3%), with the Eastern region representing the most (36.3%). About 59.8% had children, mainly aged 10-15 years (22.8%), and held university degree (54.7%). Noteworthy findings include that 64% recognized media\'s impact on children\'s sexual behavior and 80.3% preferred sex education discussions at home. Motivations revealed that 68.9% aimed to reduce sexual assault risks. University-educated parents and those with a monthly income of 15,000-19,999 SAR had higher knowledge scores (p < 0.05). Regional variations significantly influenced attitude scores, with the Western region least favorable and the Central region most positive (p < 0.05). Having children increased practical application scores, with the Southern region scoring the highest and the Central region the lowest (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The current study sheds light on the vital role of general population in Saudi Arabia\'s sexual education landscape. Regional and demographic factors significantly influenced attitudes, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions.