Perceptions of Gender Roles in Sexual Relations and the Sexual Experiences of Medical Students in the Nile Delta of Egypt

Research into youth sexuality is limited in countries of the Middle East. This study investigated perceptions of gender roles in sexual relations and the sexual experiences of medical students in the Nile Delta region of Egypt. A total of 525 students from two faculties of medicine in the Nile Delta Region (age range 18–25 years; 54.7% males) completed a self-administered, anonymous questionnaire on youth sexual attitudes and behaviours. There was a split of opinions about the right of women to have access to sexual knowledge and there was a generally negative attitude towards sexually liberal women. Males’ attitude significantly differed from that of females reflecting more masculine attitude in perception of sexual rights. On the other hand residence showed no association with differences in attitude among studied participants. Most students had no experience of dating (73.5%), sexual kissing (86.3%) or body touching/hugging (83.8%). Only 3.8% of students reported having heterosexual relations and 0.8% homosexual sex more than once. Sexual fantasies, masturbation and watching of sexual videos were reported by 40.4, 42.9 and 31.4% respectively. Gender significantly affected students’ attitude and practices while urban/rural differences had only a limited effect on practices.