Abstract
Introduction: Sexual health education is paramount in curbing the rising numbers of sexual transmitted diseases in Malaysia. Medical undergraduates which are the future frontier play an utmost role in educating and quell the social barrier in discussion on this taboo topic. We aimed to determine the knowledge, perception and factors affecting sexual health education among medical students in MMMC and to advocate sexual health education at primary level. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 309 respondents comprises of Year 3, 4 and 5. Results: There was significant association between age, gender, religion and ethnicity and sexual health knowledge and perception score. Pearson correlation coefficient shows there was positive correlation (r = 0.059) between total sexual health knowledge percentage score and total perception score but was not significant. Conclusion: Medical undergraduates should improve their knowledge and perception regarding sexual health education. It is recommended to implement sexual education in high school curriculum and institution of higher learning in Malaysia as it is not implemented yet here due to political and religion sensitivity. It is also important that students develop personalities that are ready to accept exchange and contribute sensitive issues such as sexual health.
Highlights
Sexual health education is paramount in curbing the rising numbers of sexual transmitted diseases in Malaysia
An analytical cross-sectional survey was conducted in order to know the level of knowledge and perception of sexual health among medical students of Melaka Manipal Medical College (MMMC), Malaysia
Rich knowledge and good perception of sexual health among medical undergraduate or medical staffs are more important in order to pass on an appropriate teachings and knowledge to the community
Summary
Sexual health education is paramount in curbing the rising numbers of sexual transmitted diseases in Malaysia. Results: There was significant association between age, gender, religion and ethnicity and sexual health knowledge and perception score. Pearson correlation coefficient shows there was positive correlation (r = 0.059) between total sexual health knowledge percentage score and total perception score but was not significant. Conclusion: Medical undergraduates should improve their knowledge and perception regarding sexual health education. Angus Reid Public Opinion (2011) conducted an online survey among the Canadian, American and British adults on family role play in sexual health and school courses for sexual education. University of Malaya Medical Centre (2000) conducted a survey to access student’s sexual knowledge and attitude based on Sex Knowledge and Attitude Test (SKAT-II) among medical and non-medical students in Malaysia. It was found that there was a significant difference among the knowledge percentage among the medical and non-medical students with medical students scoring the highest [4] [5]
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