(S1) knowledge and perception of sexual health among random Saudi population

Abstract Background Knowledge and perception of sexual health (SH) may be unclear among Arabian populations because of social and cultural restrictions. In the current study, we aimed to address knowledge and perception of sexual health among random population living in Saudi Arabia (SA). The aim of the study was to address knowledge and perception of sexual health among random population living in Saudi Arabia (SA). Methods A survey was conducted in SA through random population sample by asking them to answer a questionnaire about their knowledge and perception of SH. The survey was conducted among random population. Results The survey was conducted on 1060 participants, 67% of them were males. 94% were Saudi. 78%, 18.6%, and 2.9% were married, single, and divorced, respectively. 61.6% heard about SH, 93.4% thought it is important, and 45.5% thought that it is necessary to teach a curriculum on SH. The source of information about SH were the internet, colleagues and friends, and through SH specialist, in 54.8%, 11.5%, and 12.3%, respectively. There was a highly significant difference between the level of education in perception of SH, where 87% of more than graduates had perception of SH versus 74% in those with secondary school or less education level, P < 0.001. Also, there was a significant difference between females and males with good financial level as regards knowledge about SH (15.1% Vs 27.2%, P < 0.001). Conclusion The vast majority of the study population think in the importance of sexual health, half of them think in the necessity to teach a sexual health curriculum. The educational and financial levels had great impacts on the knowledge and perception of sexual health.