Sexuality and the disabled: Implications for the sex education of medical students

Background: Rape is a significant social and public health problem that has severe shattering effect on victims, including negative consequences on physical health, mental health, academic performance, and interpersonal and social relationships. It is important to know the perception and opinion of young people about the punishment of rape and increase transparency and one’s participation in the implementation of act. Aim: To spread awareness and portray severity of crime by learning the perception of medical students towards the punishment given for rape accused and to examine dimensionality of rape attitudes and its law in youth. Methods: Data was collected from 100 randomly selected medical students with the help of questionnaire and verbal discussion with them. Results: All the students were in the age group of 18 to 24 years. Only 47% were aware about the exact punishment given for accused. Maximum (75%) participants feel that death should be the ideal punishment and it should be given immediately as soon as the accused is found guilty. Inadequate mentality and lack of sex education are considered as major causes that provoke a person to commit rape. Majority of the cases are not reported because of social stigma and family reputation. Conclusion: Education is the most favored approach to sex related violence in the community. It is important to support every individual, as it plays a vital role in gaining media and government attention, which is a step forward for the betterment of the society, and soon towards the complete eradication of such social and public health issues like rape and sexual assault.

Download Full-text

Sexual behaviour and attitudes among university students in Zagreb

European Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/eurpub/ckz186.164 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽

Author(s):

M Majer ◽

B Puškarić Saić ◽

V Musil ◽

R Mužić ◽

N Pjevač ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Medical Students ◽

Reproductive Health ◽

Secondary Schools ◽

University Students ◽

Sexual Intercourse ◽

Sex Education ◽

Sexual Behaviour ◽

First Year ◽

Continuous Education ◽

Catholic University

Abstract Background Sexual behaviour of youth could have reproductive health outcomes with an impact on individual and general population health. The aim of this study was to determine sexual behaviour and attitudes among first year university students in city of Zagreb, Croatia. Methods Study included 298 first year students (61% of females) of Medical School University of Zagreb and 124 students (75% of females) of Catholic University of Zagreb in academic year 2017/2018. Data were collected by anonymous questionnaire School Health Survey, and analysed by descriptive statistics. Results Significantly higher proportion of Catholic University students have had sexual intercourse comparing to medical students of University of Zagreb (48% vs. 36%, P = 0.019). The age of first sexual intercourse for the most of students was from 16-18 years (73% of Catholic University students, and 79% of medical students). Contraception was always used among 54% of Catholic University students, and 67% of medical students, and never used among 11% and 4% of them respectively. Most of the students have gained information about human sexuality from the internet (26% of Catholic University students, and 30% of medical students), followed by friends (18%) and parents (11%) for Catholic University students, and television (25%) and friends (14%) for medical students. Most students expressed the attitude that sex education should be introduced in secondary schools (31% and 36%, respectively), followed by both, in primary and secondary schools (21%, and 30% respectively). Fourteen percent of Catholic University students and 7% of medical students thought that sex education should not be introduced to schools. Conclusions Results showed risky sexual behaviour of university students, especially Catholic University students, indicating the need of continuous education on reproductive health among youth. Key messages Results indicate the need of intervention and continuous education on reproductive health among university students in Zagreb, Croatia. Results showed insufficient use of contraception especially among Catholic University students indicating the need of education on reproductive health among medical and nonmedical students.

Download Full-text