Need Assessment for Sex Education amongst the University Students –A Pilot Study

Abstract

Background: The morbidity associated with sexual ignorance, poor decision making and inadequate sexuality

education is rising in India day by day. The possibility of sex related public health problems like sexual abuse,

teenage pregnancies, abortions, unmarried motherhood, STD/HIV infections etc. are always remains high in

university students. In this background to assess the student’s knowledge & perceived need for sex education this

study was conducted. Objective Of Study: To assess the need of sex education in students To explore the views of

students on content, source & preferred grade levels of education for sex education. Methods: It was a cross

sectional study conducted among students of Panjab University, Chandigarh. Sample size was 86 (Boys=45,

Girls=41). A pre-tested questionnaire was used to collect information from the respondents. The results were

calculated in percentage. Results: 95% of students were in favors of mainstreaming of sex education. 76.74%

students choose the teacher as the best source to provide sex education. Students preferred grade levels to start sex

education was matriculation with curriculum containing the information on sexual body changes during growth,

contraceptives and sexually transmitted diseases. Conclusions: Majority of students has received sex information

from informal sources and they are not satisfied with their knowledge on sex education. Majority of them supports

the implementation of sex education in educational institutes. The government needs to make sex education

mandatory as well as plan the educational material in a way that incites not libidinous behavior but instills mature

decision making skills in the students