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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 12(3)

Sexual health literacy of the student population of the University of Tasmania: results of the RUSSL Study

Steve Simpson Jr A F , Christine Clifford B , Kaz Ross C , Neil Sefton D , Louise Owen E , Leigh Blizzard A and Richard Turner A D
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Private bag 23, Hobart, Tas. 7000, Australia.

B School of Psychology, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tas. 7000, Australia.

C School of Humanities, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tas. 7005, Australia.

D School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tas. 7000, Australia.

E Sexual Health Service Tasmania, Tasmanian Department of Health and Human Services, Hobart, Tas. 7000, Australia.

F Corresponding author. Email: steve.simpson@utas.edu.au

Sexual Health 12(3) 207-216 https://doi.org/10.1071/SH14223
Submitted: 7 November 2014  Accepted: 23 February 2015   Published: 27 April 2015

Abstract

Background: Evidence suggests a varied level of sexual health literacy (SHL) among university student populations, so we evaluated the SHL among students at the University of Tasmania. Methods: Students were invited to complete an anonymous online questionnaire during August/September 2013. SHL was assessed using the ARCSHS National Survey of Australian Secondary Students & Sexual Health (ARC) and the Sexual Health Questionnaire (SHS). Predictors of literacy scores were evaluated by linear regression. Results: The study recruited 1786 participants (8.2% of 2013 student population), of similar composition to the general university population. Female sex, older age, sexual education, and sexual experience were significant predictors of SHL. As hypothesised, students in medical/nursing disciplines had the highest SHL. Less expected were the significant differences by birthplace and religious affiliation, many of which persisted on adjustment for confounders. Compared with Australian/New Zealander students, overseas-born students had significantly lower ARC (–3.6%, P < 0.001) & SHS (–4.2%, P < 0.001); this was driven by Malaysian, Indian, and Chinese students. Compared with agnostic/atheist-identifying students, those of Buddhist (ARC: –5.4%, P = 0.014; SHS: –6.7%, P = 0.002), Hindu (ARC: –8.8%, P = 0.098; SHS: –12.2%, P = 0.027), Muslim (ARC: –16.5%, P < 0.001; SHS: –13.4%, P = 0.001) and Protestant (ARC: –2.3%, P = 0.023; SHS: –4.4%, P < 0.001) identifications had markedly lower SHL. Conclusions: This study, one of the first among university students in Australia, found a varied SHL by sex, age, sexual education and sexual experience, as well as by birthplace and religious affiliation. These findings have applications in orientation and education programs at Australian universities.


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