The Internet is the top source of sex education for Malaysian men while for women, it is magazines. These are the findings of the fourth Durex Sexual Well-being Global Survey which was released today.

“The survey found that while the Internet is the top source (75%) for Malaysian men, magazines lead the list (73%) for women, with Internet a close second at 71%,” said the study commissioned by the world’s leading condom maker.

Aside from the Internet and magazines, the other major sources of sex information are books (65%), friends and peers (56%) and partners (43%).

“Only 26% of all Malaysian men credit school-based education as being a major source of sexual information for them, while for the fairer sex, it's 29%.”

The survey found that less then 50% of Malaysians do not think they are getting enough information to get the best from their sex lives.

“Only 42% Malaysians – of which 45% are men and 39% are women – think they are getting sufficient advice and information (on sex),” said Durex.

On this score, Malaysia is behind Mexico (80%), Brazil (71%), and US (62%), but is ahead of other Asian countries such as Hong Kong (38%), Thailand (35%) and Japan (19%).

A total of 1,026 Malaysians aged 18 years and above with an equal number of men and women participated in the annual survey.

Not enough sex education at schools

Those who received sexual education in schools appeared to be sexually more satisfied than those who don’t.

“Malaysia took the lead where 73% who had formal sex education say they are satisfied with

their overall sexual well-being compared to the global average of 59%...

“Among Malaysians who did not receive formal sex education, only 58% said they are contented with their overall sexual well-being.”

According to the survey, 36% of Malaysians rely on schools as a major source of sex information, which is second lowest after Russia (23%) among the 26 countries involved in the survey, with Netherlands heading the list at 78%.

“The figures show that around half of all those who received sex education at school (51%) say they didn't learn about conception and 71% weren't taught about sexually transmitted infections.”

Durex Malaysia general manager Voong King Yee said that the sexual education Malaysians receive from whichever source plays a key part in “helping them to achieve the knowledge they need to be able to have a fulfilling sex life."