Factores sociodemográficos cómo determinantes sobre los conocimientos de sexualidad responsable de los estudiantes de la Carrera de Medicina de la Universidad de Cuenca en el periodo lectivo marzo- agosto 2023

Abstract

Background: Integral sexual education has been implemented over the last decades, with the research of new methods to optimize it and reach the whole population. It is mandatory for all institutions due to the increase of unplanned teenage pregnancies, sexual transmitted infections, violence and unsafe abortions. For this reason, this project was developed to improve the population's knowledge so that they can make conscious and safe decisions to reduce risky behaviors. Objective: To describe the sociodemographic factors that determine the knowledge of responsible sexuality among students of the University of Cuenca's Medical School during the March-August 2023 academic year. Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted to determine the relationship between sociodemographic factors and knowledge of sexuality. Data collection was performed directly by using the "Questionnaire on knowledge of responsible sexuality in young people" survey. The data were analyzed in the SPSS version 28 statistical program. To determine the association of the variables, chi-square was calculated, with a significance level of 0.05. Results: Sociodemographic risk factors did not show a statistically significant relationship (P ˂ 0.05) with knowledge about sexuality. Students presented an adequate knowledge about the topic. Conclusions: The population had homogeneous sociodemographic characteristics and establishing a relationship with knowledge about sexuality was complex as this may vary according to cultural, geographic and social context. In addition, the population had an appropriate knowledge about sexuality due to the proper education provided by schools and the university.