The Assessment of University Students' Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviors Toward Sex

Authors

Melissa Castora, University of Central FloridaFollow

Mentor

Jana Jasinski

Abstract

Previous research provides varying results in the affects of sex education. While the goal of sex education is to educate and therefore protect one's self from high-risk sexual behaviors, research provides support that knowledge and attitudes do not always comply with behavior. The purpose of this study is to test college students' knowledge about sexual topics, their attitudes toward condom use, and compare these with the assessment of students' sexual behaviors. Results from the study support the hypothesis that knowledge about sexual issues and attitudes toward condom use can not predict sexual behavior. The study indicates that students' knowledge about sexual issues is insufficient. Respondents most commonly indicated that unwanted pregnancy and STD's were less prevalent than facts actually indicate. Several gender differences were found pertaining to attitudes about condom use which provide information to more specifically target attitudes that may lead to risky sexual behavior. Lastly, the study found several common risky sexual behaviors including, sex without a condom due to drugs and/or alcohol, continuance of sexual activity after the breakage of a condom, and ceasing to use a condom the more comfortable respondents became in their relationship. In conclusion the study found a lack of knowledge about pertinent sexual issues, gender differences in attitudes toward condom use, and several common risky sexual behaviors among the sample population. These findings provide support for the need for a broader range of issues that should be implemented into sex education.

About the Author

Melissa Castora graduated with her B.A. in Sociology from the University of Central Florida in Spring 2004. She is currently working on her M.A. in Applied Sociology at UCF. She has completed independent research in addition to participating in several research projects in the Sociology department. Her future plans are to complete a doctoral degree in Sociology and conduct research in addition to teaching.

Recommended Citation

Castora, Melissa (2005) "The Assessment of University Students' Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviors Toward Sex," The Pegasus Review: UCF Undergraduate Research Journal: Vol. 1: Iss. 1, Article 4.
Available at: https://stars.library.ucf.edu/urj/vol1/iss1/4