A study of knowledge and attitudes of selected nursing students toward human sexuality

The study evaluated the knowledge and attitudes of sophomore nursing students toward human sexuality, and compared their scores with national normative values for nursing students and undergraduate, nonmedical females. Further, the effect that a five‐credit hour, human sexuality course had on the students was investigated. The Sex Knowledge and Attitude Test, developed by Lief and Reed, was utilized. The students’ pre‐ and posttest scores were analyzed, including sample size, group means, and standard deviations. There were significant differences of knowledge scores on (1) the pre‐ and posttest scores of the sophomore nursing students, and (2) the post‐test scores of the second‐year nursing students and the national undergraduate, nonmedical females. The national nursing students’ scores and the sophomore nursing students’ posttest scores did not indicate significant differences.

The attitudinal section of the questionnaire was divided into four sections—autoeroticism, abortion, acceptance of sexual myths, and heterosexual relations. Autoeroticism showed the greatest change. It was concluded that this investigation should be followed by additional research to test the effects of human sexuality courses on attitudinal and knowledge change.