A Cross Sectional Study of Sexual Behaviour and Source of Information About Sex Among Undergraduate Medical Student

Abstract

Background: There are many myths and misconceptions about sexuality in India. Adolescent’s sexual behaviors depend on their knowledge about sex, attitudes and sources of influence. Very few students can communicate about sexuality, and friends and pornographic materials remain as common sources of sex knowledge, which are unreliable. Aims: The current study aimed to assess sexual behavior of undergraduate medical students and their source of information on sex. Methodology: A cross sectional study was carried out to investigate the sexual behavior and their source of information on sex among undergraduate medical student Jamnagar, Gujarat. A Google document form was made and shared with all students from first year to internship comprising 850 students. The Google document contained structured questionnaire in three important parts: (1) Demographic details of students (2) Sexual behavior questionnaire (3) source of information about sex. Results: Total 752 participants completed the survey. Around 76% students engaged in masturbation. Very few participants indulge in sexual intercourse with sexual worker (4.26%) or same sex partner, use of sexual aids (1.5%), more than one partner (9.7%) and anal sex (10%).42.2% (n=317) participants acquire knowledge from phone or internet, 25.7% from newspaper, 19.9% from friends and only 2.4% from family member or relative. Conclusion: Majority of participants indulged in sexual activity such as masturbation. Adolescents use Internet and newspaper as a major source of gathering information about sex. Sex education is also necessary because young people are unable to discuss their sexual concerns freely with family members.