Evaluating the Knowledge and Attitude Towards Sexual Literacy Among Adolescents

Devi Kala Sharma Devi

Devi Kala Sharma Devi jain universtiy

Abstract

Sexual literacy is a vital component of adolescent development, yet variations in knowledge and attitudes persist due to differences in educational exposure and sociocultural influences (UNESCO, 2018; World Health Organization, 2015). This study aims to evaluate the level of factual knowledge about sexual and reproductive health and the attitudes held by adolescents towards sexual literacy. Equipping youth with age-appropriate knowledge about puberty, sexuality, sexually transmitted infections, and HIV is essential for their overall health and well-being (UNESCO, 2018; World Health Organization, 2015). Proper sex education enables adolescents to prevent unwanted pregnancies, protect themselves from many infections, and reduce vulnerability to sexual abuse (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2016; UNESCO, 2018). Proper sex education empowers individuals by breaking down myths and promoting informed understanding (UNESCO, 2018). A cross-sectional quantitative design will be employed with a sample of 200 adolescents (classes 9–12) drawn from a semi-rural school. The Sexual Knowledge and Attitude Test for Adolescents (SKAT-A) will assess students’ sexual knowledge and attitudes, and the data will be analysed using statistical graphs (Fullard, n.d.). The study’s results are expected to inform educators and policymakers to develop more effective, culturally sensitive sex education curricula that ultimately contribute to improved adolescent sexual and reproductive health (UNESCO, 2018). Overall, the study discovered that teenagers’ attitudes towards sex education are generally balanced across both Class 11 and Class 12. However, Class 12 students demonstrate more accurate knowledge about sex compared to those in Class 11. Males and older students show higher awareness levels than females and younger students. Notably, around half of the respondents reported being unsure or confused about their knowledge and opinions regarding sex — a pattern consistent with other regional studies reporting persistent gaps in adolescent sexual knowledge and reliance on informal sources such as the internet (regional study, n.d.; Fullard, n.d.

Keywords: sex education, sexual literacy, adolescents, reproductive health, SKAT-A, cross- sectional study

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