The Sex Knowledge and Attitude Test (SKAT)

Area of Science:

• Sexuality education and public health
• Medical and nursing education
• Psychometric assessment

Background:

• The Sex Knowledge and Attitude Test (SKAT) is a vital instrument for assessing sexual knowledge, attitudes, and experience.
• It has been administered to over 35,000 students, with a significant proportion being medical students.
• SKAT is crucial for evaluating human sexuality education programs and identifying educational deficiencies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To measure changes in knowledge and attitudes following human sexuality education.
• To identify shortcomings in medical and nursing curricula concerning sexual health.
• To provide a tool for research and teaching in sexual health.

Main Methods:

• The Sex Knowledge and Attitude Test (SKAT) was developed as a teaching and research instrument.
• Extensive administration to over 35,000 students, including a majority of medical students.
• Utilized to assess educational outcomes and identify curriculum deficits.

Main Results:

• SKAT has been instrumental in measuring knowledge and attitude shifts post-sexuality education.
• The instrument has highlighted significant deficiencies in health professional training for addressing patient sexual concerns.
• Data from over 35,000 administrations provide a robust basis for these findings.

Conclusions:

• The Sex Knowledge and Attitude Test (SKAT) is an effective tool for evaluating sexuality education.
• Findings underscore the need for improved sexual health training in medical and nursing programs.
• SKAT offers potential for further research in sexual health and education.