Assessing the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of graduating medical students towards sexual health in Lebanon

Abstract

Objective: To assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of graduating medical students in Lebanon regarding sexual health, as well as their readiness to learn about it, and to determine the demographic and educational factors that influence our findings. Methods: Cross-sectional study. A self-designed questionnaire exploring various components of sexual health was sent to 578 graduating medical students in Lebanon. Knowledge, attitude, and practice scores were computed and analyzed. Results: The overall mean knowledge score was relatively low (2.61, range −13 to 10). A statistically significant difference was found in the mean knowledge score across religion (P = 0.028) and religiosity (P < 0.001) categories. The mean practice score also differed significantly across income groups (P = 0.010). No other significant associations were found between gender, sexuality, environment, primary source of sexual health education, or language and the mean knowledge, attitude, and practice scores. Conclusion: Additional standardized assessment of medical students' competences in sexual health matters through diverse research models is needed. Re-examination of existing medical curricula and inclusion of more extensive sexual health education is necessary to improve patient care. © 2022 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics.