High school students in postwar Lebanon: attitudes, information sources, and perceived needs related to sexual and reproductive health.

Abstract

In Lebanon a survey among high school students was conducted in an attempt to understand the existing attitudes of these young people toward sexual and reproductive health issues. The survey was structured around three main domains: 1) an assessment of the students attitudes toward sexual health issues; 2) an identification of their main sources of information in the areas of sexuality and sexual health; and 3) an assessment of their perceived availability of sex education programs and counseling services. The convenience sample of 466 students came from 30 public and private schools with ages ranging from 15 to 20 years; 54% were females and 46% were males. Overall results show that the majority of students were interested in knowing more about sex-related issues and believed that sexually transmitted diseases were a problem faced by the majority; thus liberal attitudes with regard to sexual issues exist among these youth. Societal changes may be leading to an increased need for sexual education and awareness among Lebanese youth. Therefore schools may be the most appropriate place to introduce sexual health information to young people in Lebanon.