Factors related to healthy sexuality among a group of secondary school students in Galle, Sri Lanka

Introduction: Sexuality is an important aspect in adolescent health. Safe sexual and social relationships, high self-esteem, concern on body image and knowledge about preventing unwanted pregnancies as well as sexually transmitted infections are essential components of healthy sexuality.

Objectives: To study the level of knowledge and factors related to healthy sexuality among secondary school students in Galle, Sri Lanka.

Methods: Across sectional study was conducted fromMayto July 2010 using a sample of 302 secondary school students from 03 selected schools in Galle Municipality area. Those were one boys' school, one girls' school and one mixed school consisting of students from all 04 subject streams recommended for G.C.E. Advanced Level. They were given a self-administered semi-structured questionnaire. Knowledge regarding healthy sexuality was assessed using 20 questions.

Results: In boys 89/141 (63.1%) and in girls 70/161 (43.5%) had satisfactory knowledge regarding healthy sexuality. Knowledge was better in boys (p=0.001) compared to girls, also in boys' school (p=0.005) compared to other schools and in Bio-science stream (p=0.02) compared to other streams. Common sources of knowledge were teachers, curriculum and special awareness programmes.

Conclusions: Knowledge regarding healthy sexuality is relatively poor in girls. Actions should be taken to improve the sexual health knowledge among secondary school students in general, giving more emphasis on girls.

Galle Medical Journal, Vol 18: No. 1, March 2013:Page 26-30

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/gmj.v18i1.5518