Actitudes sexuales de acuerdo con el nivel de severidad del trauma craneoencefálico / Sexual attitudes according to the level of severity of the cranioencephalic trauma

El objetivo de esta investigación fue analizar la actitud hacia la sexualidad en pacientes con antecedentes de trauma craneoencefálico (TCE), de acuerdo al nivel de severidad presentado. Método: se llevó a cabo un estudio de tipo descriptivo en una muestra de 126 personas, con edades comprendidas entre los 18 y 49 años, con antecedente de trauma craneoencefálico leve, moderado y severo, a quienes se les aplicó la Escala de Actitudes hacia la Sexualidad Ampliada (ATSS) y una encuesta de actitudes hacia la sexualidad. Resultados: se encontró que la mayoría de los participantes manifestaron haber sufrido cambios en su sexualidad tras el TCE, caracterizados por la disminución de la frecuencia de las relaciones y el deseo sexual, sin embargo, evidencian una actitud positiva frente a la sexualidad. Conclusiones: si bien la sexualidad es considerada importante por los participantes del estudio, no se evidenció una conducta tendiente a la erotofilia. No se encontraron diferencias significativas respecto al nivel de severidad del trauma craneoencefálico

The objective of this research was to analyze the attitude towards sexuality in patients with a history of cranioencephalic trauma (TCE), according to the level of severity presented. Method: a descriptive study was carried out in a sample of 126 people, aged between 18 and 49 years, with a history of mild, moderate, and severe head trauma, to whom the Scale of Attitudes towards Extended Sexuality -ATSS and a Survey of Attitudes towards Sexuality were applied. Results: it was found that most of the participants reported having suffered changes in their sexuality after TCE, characterized by a decrease in the frequency of relationships and sexual desire, however, they show a positive attitude towards sexuality. Conclusions: although sexuality is considered important by the study participants, there was no evidence of behavior tending to erotophilia. No significant differences were found regarding the level of severity of cranioencephalic trauma

Percepção de risco e comportamentos de saúde em relação ao sexo casual em universitárias / Risk perception and health behaviors in relation to casual sex in college women / Percepción de riesgo y conductas de salud en relación al sexo casual en estudiantes universitárias

Este estudo buscou explorar e comparar a percepção dos riscos à saúde física e os comportamentos de saúde do sexo casual entre universitárias com (CEX) e sem experiência (SEX) de sexo casual. Participaram 1.133 universitárias brasileiras (média de idade igual a 21,05 anos, DP = 2,05), a maioria nascidas e residentes na região Sul do país, que responderam a um questionário on-line com questões sobre a percepção dos riscos físicos, comportamentos de saúde, comportamento e histórico sexual. Foi encontrada diferença significativa nos comportamentos de saúde e nas percepções de risco entre os grupos. O grupo CEX apresentou mais comportamentos de saúde e cuidados que o grupo SEX. Embora o sexo casual esteja relacionado aos comportamentos de risco, neste estudo, as mulheres CEX apresentaram mais medidas de proteção à saúde que as mulheres SEX. (AU)

This study aimed to explore and compare the perceptions of physical health risks and healthy sex behaviors among female university students with (CEX) and without (SEX) experience in casual sex. With a comparative cross-sectional design, the study included 1,133 Brazilian female university students (mean age 21.05 years, SD=2.05), mostly born and resident in the southern region of the country, who completed an online questionnaire about their perception of physical risks, their health behaviors, and their sexual behavior and history. There was a significant difference in health behaviors and risk perceptions between the two groups, where the CEX group showed higher levels of healthy behaviors and care than the SEX group. Although casual sex is related to risk behaviors, in this study, women in the CEX group reported taking more health protection measures than those in the SEX group. (AU)

La investigación tuvo como objetivo explorar y comparar la percepción de riesgo con la salud física y las conductas de salud relacionadas al sexo casual entre estudiantes universitarias con (CEX) y sin experiencia (SEX) de sexo casual. Participaron 1.133 estudiantes universitarias brasileñas (edad media de 21,05 años, DS=2,054), mayoritariamente nacidas y residentes de la región sur del país, que contestaron a un cuestionario online con preguntas sobre percepción de riesgos físicos, sus conductas de salud e historial sexual. Se pudo observar una diferencia significativa en los comportamientos de salud y en las percepciones de riesgo entre los grupos. El grupo CEX presentó más conductas saludables y de cuidados que el grupo SEX. Aunque el sexo casual esté relacionado con conductas de riesgo, en este estudio las mujeres CEX presentaron más medidas de protección a la salud que las mujeres del grupo SEX. (AU)

Assessing Nursing Students’ Sex Knowledge and Sexual Attitudes: Implications for Primary Health Care

@#Health professionals, especially nurses, in primary care setting are considered most appropriate for providing sexual health care. To provide quality sexual health care, nurses should have adequate sex knowledge and hold positive attitude towards sexuality. However, nurses’ perceived inadequate knowledge and negative attitudes towards sexuality were reported to be two major barriers to sexual health care, yet little is known about these barriers among nursing students in Hong Kong. This study was conducted to examine sex knowledge and attitudes towards sexuality among nursing students in Hong Kong. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted on the first year nursing students (N= 258) who were recruited to participate via convenience sampling. The General Sexual Knowledge Scale (GSKS) and Attitude towards Sexuality Scale (ATSS) were used to collect data for this study. The data were analysed by descriptive statistics and independent t-test. Results Sex knowledge was 10.4 ± 3.5 and sexual attitude was 32.9 ± 4.6 indicating nursing students’ sex knowledge was poor and their sexual attitudes were neutral. Sex knowledge was positively related to the sexual attitudes (r = 0.47, p < .01). The attitudes were more liberal in students aged 20 years old or above than students aged 19 or below. Sexual attitudes were also more liberal among students who did not reported religious affiliation than students who did. Conclusions Knowledge and positive attitudes regarding human sexuality needed to be promoted among nursing students. Findings from this study provided useful information in preparing nursing students to render high quality sexual health care in primary care settings.

Amor, atitudes sexuais e índice de risco às DST em idosos / Love, sexual attitudes and index risk to sexually transmitted diseases in the elderly / El amor, las actitudes sexuales y el índice de riesgo de ETS en personas mayores

O crescente envelhecimento populacional e os temas relativos à velhice têm recebido destaque nas ciências sociais e da saúde. Este estudo investigou as possíveis relações entre as percepções do amor e das atitudes sexuais e o risco de contágio das Doenças Sexualmente Transmissíveis (DST) na velhice. Foram avaliados 352 idosos cognitivamente saudáveis do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, que responderam a Escala Triangular do Amor de Sternberg (ETAS), a Brief Sexual Attitudes Scale (BSAS) e um questionário sociodemográfico que também avaliou o grau de risco às DST nas relações sexuais dos idosos. A Análise Fatorial Exploratória revelou fraquezas psicométricas na versão adaptada da BSAS que invalidaram a maior parte dos itens e fatores, excetuando-se o fator Permissividade. Foram apurados níveis significamente maiores de Permissividade nos homens, em comparação com as mulheres. Os resultados revelaram que, quanto maior o nível global de Amor, maior o risco às DST para as mulheres, que adotam uma orientação do sexo mais relacional e centrada na pessoa; os homens adotaram orientação mais recreacional e centrada no corpo; quanto maior a Idade, menor o nível de Permissividade e menor será o risco às DST. Recomenda-se a replicação desta pesquisa em outras amostras de idosos. (AU)

The growing aging population and the issues related to elderly have received prominence in the social sciences and health. This study investigated the possible relationship between perceptions of love and sexual attitudes and the contagion risk of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) in old age. They evaluated 352 healthy older participantes of the State of Rio de Janeiro, who answered Triangular Scale Sternberg Love (ETAS), the Brief Sexual Attitudes Scale (BSAS) and a sociodemographic questionnaire also assessed the degree of risk to STDs during sexual intercourse of the elderly. The Exploratory Factor Analysis revealed psychometric weaknesses with the adapted version of BSAS that invalidated most of the items and factors, except for the permittivity factor. Significantly higher levels were determined in permissiveness for men compared to women. The results revealed that the higher the overall level in ETAS the higher is the risk of STDs for women; women adopt the guidance guidance in the relational-centered sex in person while men, more recreational and body-centered; the higher the age and lower level of permissiveness the lower is the risk of STDs, for men. It is suggested that future studies can replicate this research with other samples of elderly. (AU)

El creciente envejecimiento de la población y las cuestiones relacionadas con la vejez han recibido prominencia en las ciencias sociales y de la salud.Este estudio investigó la posible relación entre las percepciones de amor y actitudes sexuales y el riesgo de contagio de enfermedades de transmisión sexual (ETS) en la vejez. Ellos evaluaron 352 sujetos sanos de edad avanzada del estado de Río de Janeiro que respondieron laTriangular Escala Sternberg Love (ETAS), el Brief Sexual Attitudes Scale (BSAS) y un cuestionario sociodemográfico que también evaluaron el grado de riesgo de ETS durante las relaciones sexuales de las personas mayores. El análisis factorial exploratorio reveló debilidades psicométricas con la versión adaptada del BSAS que invalidó la mayor parte de los elementos y factores, excepto por el factor de permisividad. Significativamente mayores niveles se determinaron en la permisividad para los hombres en comparación con las mujeres. Los resultados revelaron que: cuanto mayor es el nivel general de ETAS mayor es el riesgo de ETS para la mujer; que adoptan la orientación en el sexo-relacional centrado en la persona, mientras que los hombres, más lúdico y centrada en el cuerpo; cuanto mayor sea la edad, menor el nivel de la permisividad e menor el riesgo de ETS, para los hombres. Se sugiere la replicación desta investigación con otras muestras de ancianos. (AU)

Perspectivas parentais sobre a sexualidade de crianças atendidas em clínica-escola de psicologia / Parenting perspectives on sexuality of children attended in a training school in clinical psychology

A sexualidade infantil é um assunto cercado por preconceitos. Os pais, na maioria das vezes, desconhecem a amplitude do tema, relacionando-o com frequência ao ato sexual em si ou ignorando-o por completo, sem perceber as várias manifestações da sexualidade durante a infância. Esta pesquisa objetivou compreender a perspectiva de pais sobre a sexualidade de crianças atendidas em triagem em uma clinica-escola de Psicologia nos anos de 2005 a 2011. A pesquisa foi de cunho quantitativo e documental, desenvolvida a partir da consulta de prontuários de crianças com idades entre 2 a 12 anos. Os dados foram analisados por meio de estatística descritiva, utilizando-se freqüência simples. Os resultados apontam que os pais/responsáveis percebem as manifestações das curiosidades sexuais infantis, embora não saibam como proceder diante delas, não compreendendo sua importância para o desenvolvimento infantil...

Infantile sexuality is a subject surrounded by prejudice. Parents for the most part unaware of the breadth of the subject often relating it to the sexual act itself or ignoring it altogether without realizing the various ways of manifestations of sexuality during childhood. This research aimed to understand the perspective of parents on the sexuality of children attended in a training school in clinical psychology in the years 2005 to 2011. The survey was a quantitative and documentary, developed from the consultation of medical records of children aged 2 to 12 years. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, using simple frequency. The results show that parents / guardians understand the manifestations of infantile sexual curiosity, but not know how to proceed before them, not realizing its importance to child development...

La coerción sexual asociada con los mitos de violación y las actitudes sexuales en estudiantes universitarios / Sexual coercion associated with the myths of rape and sexual attitudes in college students

La violencia sexual es el logro de actos sexuales mediante coerción, intimidación, chantaje, lesiones o amenazas de daño físico y varía desde acercamientos hasta la violación. Involucra algún tipo de persuasión para que se den intercambios sexuales no consensuados y acontece con mayor frecuencia en relaciones de cortejo, noviazgo o románticas. El objetivo de este trabajo es medir la asociación entre las actitudes sexuales y la aceptación de los mitos de violación con la coerción sexual en una muestra de jóvenes universitarios y hacer una comparación por sexo y grupos de edad. La muestra del estudio fue no aleatoria e incluyó a 630 estudiantes universitarios. El 51% de la muestra reportó experiencias de coerción sexual; los hombres la ejercieron casi tres veces más (71.1%) que las mujeres (28.9%). Las mujeres que ejercieron coerción reportaron una actitud sexual menos tradicional que los hombres (F= 21.413, p<.001) y las que la sufrieron aceptaron más la permisividad (F=37.432, p<.001). Los hombres que sufrieron coerción culpabilizaron más a las víctimas de violación que las mujeres (F=10.603, p=.001); esto mismo se observó en el grupo de 17-20 años de edad (F=9.841, p=.002). El ejercicio de coerción por parte de las mujeres tiene un carácter paradójico en cuanto al rol de género. En los sujetos existe una dificultad para negociar un encuentro sexual seguro o consensuado; las mujeres que reportaron mayor permisibilidad sexual mostraron una mayor propensión a involucrarse en relaciones sexuales no planificadas y ser más vulnerables a la coerción. Es importante hacer esfuerzos para erradicar las creencias que sostienen que los comportamientos sexuales abusivos en las relaciones erótico-afectivas son normales o naturales.

Sexual violence occurs when an individual obtains sexual interaction through coercion, intimidation, blackmail, lesions or threats of physical harm. It ranges from slight approaches to rape, and involves some kind of persuasion to obtaining unwanted sexual interactions; it happens more often in dating relationships. The aim of this paper is to measure the association of sexual attitudes and the acceptance of rape myths with sexual coercion in a sample of college students, and compare these variables by sex and age. The sample was non-probabilistic and included 630 students (51% had experiences of sexual coercion); 71% of men reported practicing sexual coercion. Women who practiced sexual coercion had a less traditional sexual attitude than men (F= 21.413, p<.001), and women who faced sexual coercion had a more permissive attitude in sexual interactions (F=37.432, p<.001). Men who faced sexual coercion blamed rape victims more than women (F=10.603, p=.001). Younger men also blamed rape victims more than the older ones (F=9.841, p=.002). When women use sexual coercion it seems to have a paradoxical implication regarding their gender role. It also appears to be a problem for negotiating safe sexual encounters; women who reported more sexual permissiveness seem to participate more frequently in unplanned sexual interactions and they may be more vulnerable to coercion. It is necessary to modify beliefs about abusive sexual behaviors being normal in dating relationships.

Validação e adaptação transcultural da escala multidimensional de atitudes face a lésbicas e a gays / Validation and transcultural adaptation of the multidimensional scale of attitudes toward lesbians and gay men

Apresentaram-se neste trabalho dois estudos relativos à validação e adaptação transcultural Escala Multidimensional de Atitudes Face a Lésbicas e a Gays (EMAFLG; Gato, Fontaine, & Carneiro, 2012). Este instrumento é constituído por 27 itens distribuídos por quatro dimensões: Rejeição da proximidade; Homopatologização; Heterossexismo moderno; Suporte. No primeiro estudo, testou-se esta estrutura numa amostra de estudantes universitários portugueses (N = 425), através de Análise Fatorial Confirmatória. A maioria dos itens apresentou pesos fatoriais elevados e significativos e o modelo apresentou um ajustamento global aceitável (χ2/gl = 2,35; CFI = 0,93; RMSEA = 0,056; SRMR = 0,04); os indicadores de validade convergente e discriminante também se mostraram satisfatórios, ficando demonstrada a validade de constructo do instrumento. No segundo estudo, com o propósito de verificar em que medida a EMAFLG tinha um significado equivalente noutro país de língua oficial portuguesa, realizou-se o teste da invariância do instrumento, junto de uma amostra de estudantes universitários brasileiros (N = 420), recorrendo à Análise Fatorial Confirmatória Multigrupos. Os resultados sugeriram a aplicabilidade da EMAFLG em amostras de estudantes universitários nos dois países.

In this work two studies regarding the validation and transcultural adaptation of the Multidimensional Scale of Attitudes towards Lesbians and Gay Men (EMAFLG; Gato, Fontaine, & Carneiro, 2012) were presented. The instrument is composed by 27 items distributed in four dimensions: Rejection of Proximity, Pathologization of Homosexuality, Modern Heterosexism, and Support. In the first study, the structure was tested in a sample of Portuguese university students (N = 425) using Confirmatory Factor Analysis. Most of the items presented high and significant factor loadings and the model showed a reasonable global fit (χ2/gl= 2.35; CFI= .93; RMSEA= .056; SRMR= .04). The indicators of convergent and discriminant validity were also satisfactory, and the construct validity of the instrument was established. In the second study, with the goal of verifying to what extent the EMAFLG had an equivalent meaning in another Portuguese-speaking country, its invariance was tested through Multigroup Confirmatory Factor Analysis, using a sample of Brazilian university students (N= 420). Results suggested the applicability of the instrument in samples of university students from both countries.

Escala multidimensional de atitudes face a lésbicas e a gays: construção e validação preliminar / Multidimensional scale of attitudes toward lesbians and gay men: construction and preliminary validation

O preconceito contra as pessoas não heterossexuais persiste e atualmente assume diversas formas. Este estudo teve por objetivo apresentar o processo de construção e validação de um instrumento multidimensional de avaliação de atitudes face a lésbicas e a gays. Partindo de uma revisão teórica sobre diversos aspectos do preconceito anti-homossexual, foram definidos três tipos de atitudes negativas. Selecionou-se, em seguida, um conjunto de escalas pré-existentes, tendo os seus itens sido categorizados de acordo com as atitudes previstas. Análises fatoriais exploratórias revelaram uma escala composta por três dimensões atitudinais negativas, duas de caráter mais tradicional (Rejeição da proximidade e Homopatologização) e uma de caráter mais atual (Heterossexismo moderno), assim como por uma atitude positiva (Suporte). Todas as dimensões apresentaram uma b oa consistência interna. Provas adicionais da validade de constructo do instrumento foram obtidas através de um estudo diferencial, em função do sexo dos participantes e do seu contato interpessoal com lésbicas e gays.

Prejudice against non-heterosexual individuals persists and currently assumes various forms. This study describes the process of developing and validating a multidimensional instrument to assess attitudes toward lesbians and gay men. Three types of negative attitudes were defined based on a literature review of the various aspects of antigay prejudice. Existing scales were selected and their items were categorized according to expected attitudes. Exploratory factor analysis revealed a scale composed of three negative attitudinal dimensions: two with a more traditional nature (Rejection of proximity and Pathologizing of homosexuality) and a more contemporary one (Modern heterosexism), as well as a positive dimension (Support). All dimensions showed good internal consistency. Additional evidence of the instrument’s construct validity was obtained through a differential study, based on the participants’ gender and their interpersonal contact with lesbians and gay men.

El prejuicio contra las personas no heterosexuales persiste, asumiendo diversas formas hoy día. Se presenta en este trabajo el proceso de construcción y validación de un instrumento multidimensional de evaluación de las actitudes hacia las lesbianas y los gays. Partiendo de una revisión teórica sobre diversos aspectos del prejuicio, fueron definidos tres tipos de actitudes negativas. Posteriormente fueron seleccionadas escalas de evaluación pre-existentes, siendo sus ítems categorizados de acuerdo con las actitudes propuestas. Análisis factoriales exploratorias revelaron una escala compuesta por tres dimensiones negativas, dos de carácter más tradicional (Rechazo de aproximación y Homopatologización) y una de carácter más actual (Heterosexismo moderno), así como por una actitud positiva (Soporte). Todas las dimensiones presentaron consistencia interna adecuada. Pruebas adicionales de validez de constructo fueron obtenidas a través de un estudio diferencial, en función del sexo de los participantes y de su contacto interpersonal con lesbianas y gays.

Influencia del género y del sexo en las actitudes sexuales de estudiantes universitarios españoles / Influence of the sex and gender in the sexual attitudes in Spanish university students

Los jóvenes son un grupo de especial importancia en la prevención de la salud sexual, lo que lleva a que resulte de interés el análisis de los factores que determinan la conducta sexual. El propósito de este trabajo fue estudiar la relación entre el género y la sexualidad. Concretamente, el objetivo ha sido analizar la relación entre el machismo y los mitos románticos con las actitudes sexuales. Se ha empleado un cuestionario autoadministrado que consta de tres escalas, Double Standard Scale, Escala de Mitos Románticos y Escala de Actitudes Sexuales, a 262 estudiantes de la Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha (España). Los datos fueron recogidos durante el curso 2011-2012. Hemos aplicado análisis univariantes para conocer las relaciones entre las variables. Los resultados indican que las actitudes sexuales están vinculadas con el machismo y los mitos románticos. En futuros programas de intervención y de educación sexual es necesario considerar la variable de género.

The young people is a group of special importance for the prevention of health sexuality, reason why it turns out from interest to study the determinants of sexual behavior. The purpose of this study was to examine the link between gender and sexuality. The objective was to analyze the machism and romantic myths associated with sexual attitudes. For the survey, a self-administered paper based questionnaire was used. The Double Standard Scale, Romantic Myths Scale and Sexual Attitudes Scale were administered to a sample of 262 university students of University of Castilla-La Mancha (Spain). Data were collected between 2011 and 2012. Were used univariant model were estimated to relation about factors. The results of this study indicate that sexual attitudes are relation with machism and romantics myths. The gender should be taken into consideration in planning prevention programmes and sexual education.

Culpabilidad sexual en jóvenes: influencia de las actitudes y la experiencia sexual / Sexual guilt in youngsters: the influence of attitudes and sexual experience

La culpabilidad sexual es un factor determinante de la conducta sexual. El objetivo del presente estudio fue analizar la culpabilidad sexual en una muestra de 594 jóvenes salvadoreños con edades comprendidas entre 14 y 18 años, seleccionados mediante un procedimiento no aleatorio, con el propósito de determinar la influencia que sobre la misma tienen una serie de variables sociodemográficas y de actitudes hacia la sexualidad. Los participantes contestaron el Inventario de Culpabilidad Sexual Revisado de Mosher, la Escala de Opinión Sexual, la Escala Hurlbert de Fantasías Sexuales y el Inventario de Actitudes Negativas hacia la Masturbación. Los resultados del análisis de regresión múltiple mostraron que la culpabilidad sexual está determinada, entre otros factores, por las actitudes hacia las fantasías sexuales, la erotofilia, las actitudes negativas hacia la masturbación y por la experiencia sexual en este orden, siendo más importantes las variables actitudinales que las sociodemográficas. Los resultados de estudios como éste sirven para analizar el papel de la culpabilidad sexual en la sexualidad humana y desarrollar futuros programas de educación sexual para adolescentes.

Sex guilt is a determinant of sexual behavior. The goal of the present study was to analyze sex guilt in a Salvadorian sample of 594 young with ages ranging from 14 to 18 years, selected through a non-random process, in order to assess the influence of socio-demographic and sexual attitudinal variables on it. Participants filled in the Revised Mosher Guilt Inventory, the Sexual Opinion Survey, the Hurlbert Index of Sexual Fantasy, and the Negative Attitudes toward Masturbation Inventory. Results of multiple regression analysis suggested that sex guilt is determined, among other things, by attitudes towards sexual fantasy, erotophilia, negative attitudes toward masturbation, and sexual experience, in this order, being the attitudinal variables more important than the socio-demographic variables. Results of studies like this are useful to analyze the role of sex guilt in human sexuality and to develop sexual education programs for adolescents.

The influence of class lecture on health care of sex and production to the sexual attitudes of college students / 中华行为医学与脑科学杂志

Objective To investigate the influence of class lecture on health care of sex and production to the sexual attitudes of college students. Methods 930 college students were assessed by The Sexual Attitudes Questionnaire(SAQ) before and after taking part in the lesson of health care of sex and production. Results The score of SAQ of all subjects was lower after class lecture (9.44 ± 2.67 ) than before ( 10.78 ± 2.65 ), there was significant difference(P＜ 0.05 ). Compared to before class lecture , the scores of male and female college students were decreased after education(P＜0. 05 ). There was apparent difference between clinical and nonclinical students before and after class lecture ( clinical (99.70 ± 2.50) vs ( 8.30 ± 1.70), P ＜ 0.05; nonclinical (11.71 ± 2.67)vs (10.81 ± 2.23), P＜0.05). Conclusion Sexual knowledge was increased, and the sexual attitudes was tended to maturity of the students. It' s nessary to promote opening lecture of Health Care of Sex and Production in college students.

Sexual attitudes of adolescent girls after an interactive seminar on sexuality.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to assess the effect of an interactive seminar in sex education on the sexual attitude of adolescent girls in the 9th grade in an all-girl school near Siriraj Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand. Sexual activities in Thai teenagers have emerged as a popular subject of interest in the news media. Government officials, together with schools have been promoting sex education in schools as the means of reducing the adolescents’ tendency to experiment with sex prematurely and inappropriately. As part of an adolescent outreach program at Siriraj Hospital, pediatricians were asked to participate in an interactive sex-education seminar with teenage girls from an all-girl school in the community. Methods: All girls attending the 9th grade were recruited for the one-day interactive seminar. The attendees were divided among the two identical seminar sessions. The seminar took an average of 50 minutes per group. During the didactic portion of the seminar, students were encouraged to participate actively by asking as many questions as possible. Afterwards, the students were asked to fill out an anonymous questionnaire regarding their own sexual attitudes, beliefs and practices. Results: There were 350 attendees; all were between the ages of 12-14 years. Over all, 70.7 % of girls had attitudes that promote the practice of abstinence; 13.8% viewed that sex was an acceptable part of a loving relationship; and 23.9% of the girls had mixed feelings and attitudes towards becoming sexually active at their age. The greatest area of uncertainty was in the area of using sex to maintain a loving relationship, while 8.6% of girls felt that withholding sex from their partners would result in a break up and 30.9% were uncertain whether sex would help intensify love in a relationship. In addition, 3.4% of girls felt they had no right to reject sexual advances while 5.1% did not recognize that being alone with a boy could lead to unplanned sexual intercourse. Discussion: While the prevalence of attitude leading to abstinence in our study was encouraging, the large proportion of students who remained uncertain and undecided about their practice and believed to uphold in the face of increasing pressure to have sex was alarming. As pediatricians who work primarily with teenagers, our challenge is to convert those who are undecided as to which path to take into those who are adamant about maintaining celibacy and abstaining from a sexual relationship until they are older and more equipped to handle its complications and consequences.

A Study on the Relationship between Risk Behaviors, Sexual Knowledge, Sexual Attitudes, and Sexual Experience in Male High School Students / 여성건강간호학회지

PURPOSES: This study examined the relationship between risk behaviors and sexual knowledge, sexual attitudes, and sexual experiences of male high school students. METHOD: A cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted. Data were collected from 2 male high schools in metropolitan Gwangju. Five hundred forty-eight boys were enrolled in this study. Descriptive statistics, factor analysis, t-test or ANOVA, and Pearson's correlation were used for data analysis. RESULTS: The mean sexual knowledge and sexual experience scores were relatively low, 0.60 out of 1 point, and 0.75 out of 4 points, respectively. Three attitude types of the students were identified: permissible, conservative and pleasure seeking attitude. The score of the permissible type was affected by the subjects' exposure to pornographic material. The score of the conservative type was affected by alcohol consumption and acquaintances with a heterosexual friend. The score of the pleasure seeking type was affected by their exposure to pornographic material, alcohol consumption, smoking, going to a video-room, and acquaintances with a heterosexual friend. There was a negative correlation between the permissible type and sexual knowledge, and a positive correlation between the conservative and pleasure seeking types and sexual experience. CONCLUSION: Male high school students who have been exposed to risk behaviors have a higher likelihood of indulging in sexual activity, and the pleasure seeking type appears to be related to sexual experience. An educational program may be needed to prevent risky behaviors and sexual experiences in male high school students considering their sexual attitude type.