Korean J Child Health Nurs.  2004 Jul;10(3):350-360.

Sexual Knowledge and Attitudes among Middle School Students

• Kim SJ
• Yang SO

Abstract

PURPOSE
To suggest ideas that promote sexual health and useful in planning sex education programs for middle school students. METHOD: This study surveyed 661 middle school students from three schools in Seoul and Chunchon.
RESULTS
The average degree of sexual knowledge was 31.5, while attitude was 32.5. There were statistically significant differences in sexual knowledge in relation to: coeducational environment (t=-5.776, p=.000), grade (F=36.351, p=.000), father's age (t=-2.510, p=.012), mother's age (t=-2.146, p=.032), economical status (F=3.264, p=.039), source of sexual knowledge (F=8.484, p=.000), the degree of interest in the opposite sex (F=16.871, p=.000), sexual discussions with parents (t=3.556, p=.000), sexual discussions with teachers (t=2.847, p=.005), and sex education (t=2.148, p=.032). Likewise, stastically significant differences in sexual attitudes were linked to: coeducational environment (t=-7.646, p=.000), subject's grade (F=32.743, p=.000), parental marriage status (t=2.338, p=.020), mother's age (t=-2.048, p=.041), source of sexual knowledge (F=6.917, p=.000), the degree of interest in the opposite sex (F=15.559, p=.000), sexual discussions with parents (t=3.908, p=.000), and sexual discussions with teachers (t=2.946, p=.003). The students level of sexual knowledge and attitude was significantly correlated (r=.686, p=.000).
CONCLUSION
This study indicates a variety of systematic sexual education programs are needed for middle school student at home and school.

MeSH Terms

Education
Gangwon-do
Humans
Marriage
Parents
Reproductive Health
Seoul
Sex Education
Child Health