KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICE OF LIRA UNIVERSITY STUDENTS REGARDING SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS. A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.71020/jwhr.v2i3.16Keywords:
Lira University students, Knowledge and Practices regarding sexually transmitted infections, Age-appropriate sexual health EducationAbstract
Background
An estimated 492,000 people worldwide die each year from STIs and related illnesses like gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, genital herpes, hepatitis B, and syphilis. This study aimed to assess students' level of knowledge and their practices regarding STIs.
Methodology
A cross-sectional study used self-administered questionnaires distributed to a representative sample of 344 students. The data was entered into a statistical package for social science version 23 and analyzed at the univariate level.
Results
The study found that most respondents were between 21 and 23 years old (44.2%), the majority were males (54.4%), and the mean level of knowledge was 0.62 (±0.11). Most knew that syphilis 315(91.9%), gonorrhea 268(77.9%), and HIV 249(72.4%) were among the STIs. Hepatitis C was poorly known as an STI by students. 266(77.3%) students knew candida as an STI. 194(56.4%) knew that STIs can be transmitted through blood transfusion. Most 214, 62.2%) were not abstaining from sex and were sexually active. 210(62%) students never used condoms consistently, most students 244(70.9%) had one sexual partner. Concerning risky sexual behaviors, only 9(2.6%) students injected drugs before having sexual intercourse, 17(4.9%) students injected drugs before sexual intercourse, 44(12.8%) students took alcohol before sex, 9(2.6%) shared injection needles, 84(24.4%) students watched pornographic materials and 6(1.7%) had sex with commercial sex workers.
Conclusion
Lira University students had a moderate level of knowledge about STIs, similar to students in other studies. Their knowledge about specific STIs beyond HIV, syphilis, and gonorrhea was lower. Students engaged in risky sexual behaviors, and condom use was low.
Recommendations
There should be the implementation of comprehensive, age-appropriate sexual health education programs that cover a wide range of STIs, including lesser-known infections.
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