A prospective evaluation of a change in attitude towards sexuality in medical students after their three years in medical college

Abstract

Aims: Sexual health is central to holistic health care; studies indicate that health professionals are uncomfortable raising sexual issues partly because of their conservative sexual attitude. India hosts a multitude of social beliefs and cultural traditions. Everybody including Health professionals have certain beliefs hardwired into their mindsets, including attitude towards sexuality. So in this study, we aim to study the change in students’ attitude towards various aspects of own (self) and others-sexuality and to explore the gender difference in same. Materials and Methods: A prospective study was conducted in a medical college of Gujarat. The study was conducted in medical students in their 3rd year. Data were collected using Trueblood Sexual Attitudes Questionnaire and those were compared to the data of same students collected in their 1st year, in order to see the change in attitude toward sexuality. (Using paired & unpaired t test). Results: The study showed that the students had a positive attitude towards own-sexuality for all domains, after 3 years in medical college. But in attitudes towards others-sexuality, students still had a negative attitude towards masturbation and commercial sex. This change of attitude was statistically significant for all students, except in male students’ attitude towards others-sexuality. Discussion and Conclusions: Sexual health related topics and frequent encounters with patients with different sexual health needs gave students a better understanding of same, but the results are still unsatisfactory. Integration of sexual health modules is critical for students to more effectively address patients’ sexual problems and promote non-judgmental attitude.