Sexual attitudes, behaviour changes and opinions of interns in Izmir, Turkey

Abstract

Objectives To evaluate sexual attitudes, behaviour and opinions of students at the end of their medical education studies in Izmir, Turkey, and compare findings with the results of the study carried out when they were first-year students.

Methods A cross-sectional and longitudinal study, with data collected via a questionnaire.

Results ‘Friends’ were most often mentioned as the source of their personal sexual information by students on both occasions. Use of the ‘internet’ increased significantly during the five years. Pornography and health professionals/specialists' also gained in importance but remained among the less frequently used sources of information. The most frequent factor affecting sexual attitudes and behaviour for both years was ‘my own desire and values’. Most (74.8%) interns had taken only a few sexual health histories and 16.5% never; 35% believed their education would enable them to take one. Nearly half (48.5%) said being a medical student changed their opinions on sexuality and 25.7% said they changed their behaviour.

Discussion Although changes were observed in sexual attitudes, behaviour and opinions between the two questionnaires many problems still exist. This study may add to the improvement of medical education regarding sexual health education and its practices.

Keywords:

• Medical education
• Medical student
• Sexual education
• Sexual health education
• Sexual attitude
• Sexual behaviour
• Turkey

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflict of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the writing and the content of the paper.