Sex education and education in sexually transmitted diseases in pre-university students in Uruguay
Rostkier, J.M.
Boletin de la Oficina Sanitaria Panamericana. Pan American Sanitary Bureau 102(1): 74-80
1987
ISSN/ISBN: 0030-0632 PMID: 2949762 Document Number: 291175
In 1983 a one-month course of sex and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) was held in Montevideo for a group of 27 college-bound students between 17 and 20 years of age. As a preliminary step, they were administered a questionnaire on their knowledge of the subject, and a survey was conducted on needs and motivations for the programming of education on sex and STDs. On completion of the course, another questionnaire was administered to ascertain what the students had learned. It was determined that the average level of previous knowledge was 23,42%; the students sampled also indicated they had not previously received complete information either in school or at home. On completion of the course, the number of correct answers averaged 87,24%. The results and conclusions reached brought out the need for more adequate information about sex and STD education, and for revitalizing and centralizing this information at the teaching and medical levels. They also pointed to the necessity of overcoming inhibitions and preconceived ideas about sex and the STDs and emphasizing the psychosocial factors in human sexuality. The immediate objectives in this endeavor would be: firstly, to undertake the study of a larger student population; secondly, to launch in the near future training in sex and STD education for health workers who will, in turn, train others for a multiplier effect; and thirdly, to propose the inclusion of sex education courses in school programs so that the individual can receive a complete education that will prepare him for a healthy adult life.