Citation
Abdullah, Maha and Gyanchand Rampal, Lekhraj Rampal and Md Zain, Azhar and Mohd Sidik, Sherina and Vidyadaran, Sharmili and Abdah, A. and Ramasamy, Rajesh and Sekawi, Zamberi and Loong, Yik Yee and Awang, Hamidin and Abdul Rahim, Firdaus and Abdul Aziz, Ahmad Fazli and Lim, Poh Hin and Naing, Khin Ohnmar@Noor Jan and Kho, Puay Bee
(2010)
Attitude towards sex: study of secondary schoolchildren in
Selangor state.
Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 6 (1).
pp. 33-61.
ISSN 1675-8544
Abstract
Introduction: HIV/AIDS is one of the leading health problems worldwide. There is an
increasing rate among the ages between 13 to 49 years old. School based intervention is an
important component of community-based interventions for HIV/AIDS and is the best
stage to promote abstinence which is best maintained among those not sexually experienced.
Objectives: This study was carried out to determine attitude towards sex among secondary
school children in Selangor state. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was used. Four
out of nine districts in Selangor state were selected at random. Students were divided
according to gender, academic performance (good or poor) with no behavioural problems
and students with evidence of behaviour problems (at risk). Results: Out of 149 students,
the majority (56.4%) were females. The majority of students did not think sex should be
discussed in depth and do not speak to parents, teachers, religious teachers, counselors,
relatives, doctors or nurses but speak to friends regarding sex. More than half watch
pornography. A significantly higher percentage of male students in the weak and at-risk
group admit to thinking of intimacy (hugging and kissing) with the opposite gender. A
higher number of these students would try sex out of curiosity, for fun, because it was
difficult to say ‘no’ to and that they would like it. A significantly higher percentage will try
sex because they did not want to hurt their girlfriends’ feeling by saying ‘no’. While the
majority of students think intimacy will end in sex, a significantly higher percentage of
male at-risk students think just talking with the opposite gender will end in sex. The
majority of male students responded feeling attracted to the picture of a girl in sexy
clothing but a significantly higher percentage of at-risk students also felt attracted to the
picture of a girl properly attired. A significantly higher percentage of male at-risk students
say parents do not say sex before marriage is wrong and a significantly higher percentage of
male students of weak and at-risk groups say girlfriends say sex before marriage is okay. A
significantly higher percentage of weak and at-risk students speak to doctors regarding sex
and think sex should be discussed in depth. Conclusion: Weak and at-risk male students
appeared to have a more vulnerable attitude towards sex. This may predispose them to
risky sexual behaviours leading to HIV/AIDS. Poor academic performance and behaviour
problems may not be different as potential sexual risk predictors. The information obtained
will be useful in designing intervention programmes in the prevention of HIV/AIDS.
Download File
Additional Metadata
Actions (login required)
 |
View Item |
![[img]](http://psasir.upm.edu.my/style/images/fileicons/application_pdf.png)