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Original Research



Knowledge and awareness of sexually transmitted disease among male university students in Taif, Saudi Arabia

Basim Matar AL-Malki.




Abstract

Background: Young adolescents constitute an equally large amount of those infected with sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). In Saudi society, discussing STDs is considered taboo where ethics and social factors give rise to many obstacles.

Aims & Objective: The objectives of this study were to assess knowledge and awareness of university male students regarding sexually transmitted diseases, to provide valid data and basis for the development of interventional educational programs in the future.

Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted included regular Saudi male students in Taif University, male department during the year 2012. College of Science was randomly selected as a non-medical college. A random sample of 400 eligible male students was invited to participate in the study, representing all educational years. A stratified random sampling method with proportional allocation was applied to distribute the sample throughout the 4 years. A pre-designed Arabic self-administered questionnaire was utilized. It consists of two sections. The first section includes information about socio-demographic characteristics of the students. The second section is to explore their knowledge and awareness regarding STDs including modes of transmission and curability, types, ways of prevention, their source of information and finally whether it is reasonable to be taught in schools.

Results: The study included 400 University students with a response rate of 100%. Their age ranged between 18 and 30 years with a mean of 21.30±1.69 years. Among those who have knowledge about STDS, 35% had their knowledge from the friends while 29.9% and 27.7% had their knowledge from internet and television respectively. Less than half of them (47%) knew that condom could not protect 100% from STDs while slightly more than half of them (54.3%) knew that oral contraceptive use doesn’t decrease the risk of STDs among women. Only 38% knew that there is no available vaccination against STDs. Slightly more than one-third of the participants (36.8%) knew that STDs infected mother could transmit a sexual disease to her newborn during labor. the great majority of students (98.5%) are aware of HIV/AIDS as a STD while only 37.3% were aware that Chlamydia is a STD. Married status, high level of paternal education and having information from friends or internet were associated with better STDs knowledge.

Conclusion: STDs knowledge was inadequate among non-medical university students in Taif, KSA. School education, peer groups, internet and mass media remain the main ways by which students learn about STDs. Thus primary prevention of STDs needs to be given high priority. Education program about types, modes of transmission, ways of prevention and religious role of STDs should be given early on in secondary schools to encourage premarital screenings and hence help reduce the risk of the possible expansion of infection in the kingdom.

Key words: Sexually Transmitted Diseases; Knowledge; University; Students; Saudi Arabia






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