Knowledge about human sexuality among under graduate medical students

In India, talking about sex is taboo. Little is known about the knowledge, attitude, and sexual behavior of young adults. 1 This study is carried out with the purpose of exploring knowledge about human sexuality among undergraduate medical students.Recent studies indicate that sexual health topics are often not broached by physicians within the medical encounter. Among the barriers to communication about sexual health are: lack of provider comfort and knowledge; provider biases about sexual issues; fear of offending patients; and time constraints within the typical patient encounter. 2-4 Recent national and global initiatives have drawn attention to the importance of sexual health to individuals’ well-being. These initiatives advocate enhancement of efforts to address this underrepresented topic in health professions curricula. Medical school training can be an important means of promoting the appropriate and effective management of sexual functioning problems. 6-8 Currently, a significant gap in knowledge regarding existing sexual health components of undergraduate medical education exists. 9-11 Only a few studies have addressed the attitudes and values that may underlie physicians’ medical practices, especially those related to emotionally sensitive issues such as sexuality. 5,12.