This study aimed to examine the relationship between knowledge retention and utilization awareness of junior high school health education and attitudes toward health and health classes among university students. The subjects were 665 university students (315 males, 346 females, and four non-respondents). A total of 72 questions that corresponded to the contents of each unit of the Courses of Study were used to examine the level of knowledge retention. The subjects were divided into three groups according to the number of correct answers. In addition, they were asked regarding their awareness of the use of health knowledge, willingness to take health classes in junior high school, perception of the value of the health classes, current level of health interest, and academic performance in junior high school. A chi-square test was performed, and residuals were analyzed when significant associations were found. The results of the analysis showed that there was no significant relationship between knowledge retention and utilization awareness, which suggested that different factors influenced them. In addition, higher knowledge retention and utilization awareness were significantly related to higher motivation to attend junior high school health classes and higher level of current health interest among university students, respectively. These findings suggest the need for class practices that focus on the utilization of acquired knowledge through the development of teaching methods and materials.
