A comparative analysis of the sexual culture and behavior of nursing students from the Medical University of Plovdiv in the period 2009-2019

Abstract

Introduction: Population reproduction and family planning are highly dependent on sexual culture and sexual behavior. In this study, we seek to determine whether, over a ten-year period from 2009 to 2019, there have been any changes in the sexual culture of nursing students in relation to the knowledge of risk factors for unintended pregnancies and subsequent abortions. Materials and methods: A group anonymous survey was used to gather primary data from 219 nursing students from the Medical College at the Medical University of Plovdiv in 2009 and 210 nursing students from the Faculty of Public Health at the same institution in 2019. The studies in both cohorts were cross-sectional. Results and discussion: We found that students’ perceptions of sexual culture did not change significantly in the study period. There were some changes in the students’ attitudes toward voluntary abortion in the ten years between 2009 and 2019. Age and marital status were found to be essential factors in determining whether an unplanned pregnancy would be maintained or aborted. Future medical professionals are aware of how having an abortion affects a woman’s health and ability to reproduce. Conclusions: In promoting sexual and reproductive health, medical professionals play a crucial role. It is, therefore, essential that a course on sexual health be added to the curriculum of medical universities training healthcare professionals.