Knowledge Regarding Hymens and the Sex Education of Parents

Abstract

The objective of this study was to ascertain beliefs and knowledge of pediatricians and parents regarding the hymen and to evaluate parental and pediatrician attitudes regarding sex education by pediatricians. Surveys were distributed anonymously to parents and pediatricians. Survey questions included knowledge of the female hymen and questions regarding attitudes toward sexual health education. There was a statistically significant difference in mean knowledge scores between pediatricians and parents regarding the hymen (3.7 versus 1.3; p < 0.0001). Almost two-thirds of pediatricians (63%) felt comfortable providing sexual health education directly to their patients, but only 41% felt comfortable educating parents. Pediatricians and parents demonstrate knowledge gaps about the hymen.

KEYWORDS:

• sexual abuse
• genital injuries
• genital examination
• virginity
• anticipatory guidance
• sexual development

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We acknowledge Christopher Greeley, MD; David Bernard, MD; Jane Hollingsworth, PsyD; and Carole Swiecicki, PhD, for their contributions to this manuscript.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Verena W. Brown

Verena W. Brown, MD, is an assistant professor in pediatrics at Vanderbilt’s Center for Child Protection and Well Being, where she practices child abuse pediatrics. Her current research interests focus on nonperpetrating parents of abuse victims and community support.

Susan M. Lamb

Susan M. Lamb, MD, is a current fellow in child abuse pediatrics at the Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters in Norfolk, Virginia. Her current research interests include domestic and international human trafficking and the relationship between video gaming and child abuse and neglect.

Amy M. Perkins

Amy M. Perkins, MS, is a biostatistician in the Department of Pediatrics at Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters and an instructor and division director of biostatistics and innovation in research design in the Department Pediatrics at Eastern Virginia Medical School. She received her MS from the University of Pittsburgh.

Diana W. Naim

Diana W. Naim received her BS in biology from the University of Virginia. She was a summer scholar at the Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters.

Suzanne P. Starling

Suzanne P. Starling, MD, is medical director of the Child Abuse Program at Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters and Professor of Pediatrics at Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk, Virginia. Her current research focuses on physician education and quality assurance in child abuse pediatrics.