title: [Knowledge, attitude, and behaviors related to sex among teenage girls: a comparison between nursing and non-nursing college students].
abstract: The purpose of this descriptive, comparative study was to explore differences in sex knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors between teenage girls enrolled at a nursing school and those enrolled at a non-nursing school. A total of 792 students were recruited from one nursing school and one non-nursing school. Compared to non-nursing students, nursing students were more knowledgeable on sex-related issues, held more conservative attitudes toward sex, and had less sexual experience. We found also that the closer an intimate relationship was, the more liberal the sexual activities tended to be. Participants were prone to accept premarital sex, and cared less about the virginity of future spouses. Most perceived having a child before marriage unacceptable. About 23% (n = 179) of participants had intercourse experience, while only 30% of girls surveyed had used contraception every time they had sexual intercourse. Eleven students reported being pregnant, but none chose to take their pregnancy to term. The findings of this study show that nursing education may have a positive influence on teenage girl's sexual knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors with regard to practicing safer sex. This study also suggests that a comprehensive sex-related curriculum, introducing safer sex practices and the health consequences of unprotected sex, should be reinforced in both non-nursing and nursing schools.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Ying-Hua
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Tseng
authors.forename: Jui-Ying
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Feng
authors.forename: Li-Shu
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Tesng