Revista de SIDA e investigación clínica

Knowledge, Attitude and Preventive Practices towards Sexually Transmitted Infection among Preparatory School Students of Arsi Negelle Town

Abstract

Nega Degefa Megersa, Sindew Mohamud Ahmed, Befikadu Tariku Gutema, Girum Sebsebie Teshome, Zeleke Aschalew Melketsedik and Eshetu Zerihun Tariku

Background: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are a major global cause of acute illness, infertility, long-term disability and death with serious medical and psychological consequences of millions of men, women and infants. Due to their high prevalence, particularly in developing settings, STIs result in substantial productivity losses for individuals and communities, particularly where the majority of the population is less than 40 years of age.

Objective: To assess knowledge, attitude and preventive practices of Arsi Negelle preparatory students towards STIs.

Methodology: Institutional based cross-sectional study design and quantitative method of data collection were employed. A Proportionate Stratified random sampling technique was used and finally, a total of 303 respondents were selected by systematic random sampling method. A standardized self-administered questionnaire was used to collect information from respondents.

Results: Half of the respondents (50.8%) had good knowledge about STIs and 54.5% of respondents were identified to have positive attitude towards STIs and 38.6% of respondents had good preventive practice despite the fact that the rest 61.4% had poor preventive practice towards STIs.

Conclusion: Most of respondents had heard about STIs in one or another way however nearly half of respondent's have good knowledge regarding STIs. This study had called for continued and strengthened health education.