Levels and sources of adolescents' sexual knowledge in traditional societies: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Gender rules, patriarchy, and cultural taboos on sexual issues in traditional societies may compel adolescents to seek sexual information from informal and inadequate sources. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to determine whether the level and sources of sexual knowledge differed by gender in the traditional community comprising Palestinian-Israeli high school students. Guided by the Human Ecological Systems Model and informed by a community-based participatory research approach, a convenience sample of high school students (n = 558) was recruited. Although findings indicated that both boys and girls had low levels of sexual knowledge, the areas of knowledge deficits varied by gender. The model demonstrated good fit for boys but not for girls. Post hoc analyses indicated that girls obtained sexual knowledge solely from close family members, while boys obtained sexual knowledge from multiple sources. Very few students of either gender obtained sexual knowledge from doctors or nurses, but with community input on cultural issues, nurses can play a pivotal role in creating comprehensive, school-based sex education for adolescents living in traditional societies.