University of Tasmania
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Sexual health literacy of the student population of the University of Tasmania: results of the RUSSL Study

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posted on 2023-05-18, 09:34 authored by Steve Simpson JRSteve Simpson JR, Christine CliffordChristine Clifford, Ross, K, Sefton, N, Owen, L, Christopher BlizzardChristopher Blizzard, Richard TurnerRichard Turner

Background: Evidence suggests a varied level of sexual health literacy (SHL) among university student populations, so we evaluated the SHL among students at the University of Tasmania.

Methods: Students were invited to complete an anonymous online questionnaire during August/September 2013. SHL was assessed using the ARCSHS National Survey of Australian Secondary Students & Sexual Health (ARC) and the Sexual Health Questionnaire (SHS). Predictors of literacy scores were evaluated by linear regression.

Results: The study recruited 1786 participants (8.2% of 2013 student population), of similar composition to the general university population. Female sex, older age, sexual education, and sexual experience were significant predictors of SHL. As hypothesised, students in medical/nursing disciplines had the highest SHL. Less expected were the significant differences by birthplace and religious affiliation, many of which persisted on adjustment for confounders. Compared with Australian/New Zealander students, overseas-born students had significantly lower ARC (–3.6%, P < 0.001) & SHS (–4.2%, P < 0.001); this was driven by Malaysian, Indian, and Chinese students. Compared with agnostic/atheist-identifying students, those of Buddhist (ARC: –5.4%, P = 0.014; SHS: –6.7%, P = 0.002), Hindu (ARC: –8.8%, P = 0.098; SHS: –12.2%, P = 0.027), Muslim (ARC: –16.5%, P < 0.001; SHS: –13.4%, P = 0.001) and Protestant (ARC: –2.3%, P = 0.023; SHS: –4.4%, P < 0.001) identifications had markedly lower SHL.

Conclusions: This study, one of the first among university students in Australia, found a varied SHL by sex, age, sexual education and sexual experience, as well as by birthplace and religious affiliation. These findings have applications in orientation and education programs at Australian universities.

History

Publication title

Sexual Health (Print): an interdisciplinary journal of sexual health including HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infections

Volume

12

Pagination

207-216

ISSN

1448-5028

Department/School

Menzies Institute for Medical Research

Publisher

CSIRO Publishing

Place of publication

Australia

Rights statement

Copyright 2015 CSIRO

Repository Status

  • Open

Socio-economic Objectives

Public health (excl. specific population health) not elsewhere classified

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