Parental knowledge and attitudes about sex education in adolescents in the school environment

Olortegui-Espinoza K.A.; Santos-Rosales Y.R.; Campos-Correa K.E. · Revista Cubana de Medicina Militar (2026)

Resumen

Introduction: Comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) is essential for the healthy development of adolescents; however, the relationship between adolescents’ level of knowledge and parental attitudes toward CSE has been insufficiently explored. Objective: To determine the level of knowledge about comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) among adolescents and parental attitudes toward CSE in a public educational institution in Peru, 2023. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in 314 adolescent–parent dyads selected through quota sampling. Adolescents’ level of knowledge and parental attitudes toward CSE were assessed using validated instruments. Sociodemographic variables of adolescents and parents were collected. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and Poisson regression with robust variance (95% CI), using SPSS v27. Results: Regular knowledge levels were observed in 68.8% of adolescents, and 52.9% of parents showed a negative attitude. A correlation was found between adolescents’ level of knowledge and parental attitude (p= 0.002; Rho= 0.173). Being older than 14 years, female sex, and having parents with prior orientation were associated with higher knowledge levels. Male sex (aPR: 2.41; 95% CI: 1.53–3.78) and age < 14 years (aPR: 2.68; 95% CI: 1.68–4.26) were associated with deficient knowledge. Conclusions: Regular knowledge levels among adolescents and negative parental attitudes predominate. Age, sex, and prior parental orientation influence adolescents’ level of knowledge about CSE.

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos