Sex Education and Sexual Socialization among Students

Insights from Professional Nurses at a South African University of Technology

Abstract

The engagement of students in risky sexual behaviours remains a public health concern. These risky sexual behaviours lead to sexually transmitted diseases such as Human Immunodeficiency Virus infection and unintended pregnancies among students. Hence, universities need to implement appropriate programmes to promote sexual health knowledge and safer sex among students. Sex education is a significantly important tool to raise awareness and ensure the safety of sexual practices and the prevention of students’ susceptibility to risky sexual behaviours. This study aimed to explore and describe professional nurses’ views on risky sexual behaviours among students and promote responsible sexual behaviour among students by advocating for sex education at the University of Technology (pseudonym) in the province of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa. The study was guided by a qualitative, exploratory, descriptive, and contextual design. The researchers employed a purposive sampling technique and semi-structured interviews to collect data from 11 professional nurses in the Student Affairs Department.