title: MSW student perceptions of sexual health as relevant to the profession: Do social work educational experiences matter?
abstract: Many social work clients are at an increased risk for negative outcomes related to sexual behavior, including unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). However, there is a dearth of literature on social work student experiences with these topics in social work classrooms and their perceptions about the topic's relevance to their practice. The purpose of this study is to explore relationships between experiences with STIs and contraception as topics in social work education and practica experiences on student perceptions toward sexual health as a relevant topic for social work. Among a national sample of MSW students (N = 443), experiences with STIs and contraception as topics in practica was significantly related to perceptions toward sexual health's relevance to social work. Findings and implications are discussed.
authors.affiliation: a School of Social Work , University of Missouri , Columbia , Missouri , USA.
authors.forename: Virginia Ramseyer
authors.initials: VR
authors.lastname: Winter
authors.affiliation: b School of Social Welfare , University of Kansas , Lawrence , Kansas , USA.
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: O'Neill
authors.affiliation: c Graduate School of Social Work , University of Denver , Denver , Colorado , USA.
authors.forename: Stephanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Begun
authors.affiliation: c Graduate School of Social Work , University of Denver , Denver , Colorado , USA.
authors.forename: Shanna K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Kattari
authors.affiliation: d School of Social Work , Temple University , Philadelphia , Pennsylvania , USA.
authors.forename: Kimberly
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: McKay
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003268:Contraception Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D003479:Curriculum; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D000074384:Sexual Health / Q000193:education*; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology*; D012947:Social Work / Q000193:education*; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Sexual behavior; social work education; social workers’ perceptions