Knowledge, attitude and perception of sex education among school going adolescents in urban area of Chennai, Tamil Nadu

INTRODUCTION: Adolescence is a significant period of one's life, the students or children at this age should be taught about sex education in order to lead a healthy reproductive life, to prevent sexually transmitted disease and to avoid unwanted pregnancies. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the current knowledge of school going adolescents on reproductive health and its association with their socio demographic profile and determining their behaviour and understanding of school sex education. METHODOLOGY: A cross sectional analysis was carried out in 2 private schools at Chennai among the students of 9(th) to 12(th) standard. A sample of 346 was taken and a structured questionnaire was used to evaluate. The data was analysed by SPSS software version 22. Chi square test was used (<0.05 is significant). RESULTS: Out of 346, 44.2% were males and 55.8% were females. 85.9% of students from nuclear family responded True for the statement 'Male hormone is called as Testosterone'. Females had better knowledge on sex education than Males which was significant. XII standard students had better and positive attitude towards sex education than IX standard students. Only 5% responded to have sex-related information from Parents than others who responded friends, doctors and teachers. CONCLUSION: It is seen that among school going adolescents there is lack of knowledge and varied perceptions towards sex education. So, sex education should be implemented more efficiently in the developing countries and so it can lead to a healthy reproductive life and sexual health among the adolescents.