Sex Disabil https://doi.org/10.1007/s11195-018-9524-1 1 3 ORIGINAL PAPER Assessment of Knowledge, Comfort and Attitudes of Physiotherapy Students Towards Human Sexuality Priscilla G. Wittkopf 1  · Tatiane R. Sousa 2  · Fernando L. Cardoso 3  · Fabiana F. Sperandio 4 © Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2018 Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge, comfort and attitudes of physiotherapy students towards human sexuality. An observational, cross-sectional study was conducted in four universities. Physiotherapy students (n = 248) enrolled in an under- graduate degree program were invited to participate and 203 (82%) were included. Stu- dents were enrolled in the frst (29%), second (22%), third (33%) and fourth (16%) years of the undergraduate degree program. The instrument used was the Scale of Knowledge, Comfort and Attitudes of Physiotherapy Students towards Human Sexuality. Results indi- cated that students enrolled in the frst year of the program reported less knowledge then students in the third (p ≤ 0.001) and fourth years (p ≤ 0.001). Students enrolled in the sec- ond year reported less knowledge than the students in the third (p = 0.007) and fourth years (p = 0.002). Students enrolled in the fourth year of the program reported more discomfort compared with students enrolled in the frst year (p = 0.049). Additionally, female students showed more discomfort, especially when issues are related to male patients. These fnd- ings highlight the importance of a change in the physiotherapy curriculum to better prepare future physiotherapists in delivering holistic treatment. Keywords Physical therapy · Sexuality · Sexual behavior · Curriculum · Education · Brazil * Priscilla G. Wittkopf p.wittkopf@leedsbeckett.ac.uk 1 School of Clinical and Applied Sciences, Leeds Beckett University, City Campus, Leeds LS1 3HE, UK 2 University Centre Estácio de Santa Catarina, Rua Leoberto Leal, 431 - Barreiros, São José, SC 88117-001, Brazil 3 Department of Physical Education, Santa Catarina State University, Rua Pascoal Simone, 358 - Coqueiros, Florianópolis, SC 88080-350, Brazil 4 Department of Physical Therapy, Santa Catarina State University, Rua Pascoal Simone, 358 - Coqueiros, Florianópolis, SC 88080-350, Brazil