scholarly journals Knowledge, sexual behaviours and risk perception of sexually transmitted infections among students of the polytechnic, Ibadan, Oyo state

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-44
Author(s):  
Irikefe M Oharume

Background: Current evidence shows that the surge of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is of public health importance. In Nigeria, about 3 million cases of STIs are reported annually with the highest rates observed among young people. Objective: This study was designed to investigate the knowledge, sexual behaviours and risk perception of STIs among students of the polytechnic, Ibadan. Method: The study was a descriptive cross-sectional survey which involved the use of a four-stage sampling technique to select 401 students across the five faculties of the institution. Results: Among the students interviewed, few (18.7%) had good knowledge of STIs with overall mean knowledge score of 5.9±3.6. Majority (65.3%) were sexually active in the last 12 months; while 26.7% had multiple sex partners in the last six months. Only 23.1% of single sexually active students used condom regularly. Few (14.2%) of the students considered themselves to be at risk of contracting STIs. However, there were significant associations between knowledge and risk perception of contracting STIs; and between having multiple sex partners and the risk perception of contracting STIs. Conclusion: These results emphasise the need to provide students with more information about STIs with the aim of positively influencing their self-perceived risk and sexual behaviour. Keywords: Knowledge; sexual behaviours; risk perception; STIs; polytechnic; Ibadan; Oyo state.

2014 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 209-215 ◽  
Author(s):  
George W. Rutherford ◽  
Andrew Anglemyer ◽  
Danstan Bagenda ◽  
Michael Muyonga ◽  
Christina P. Lindan ◽  
...  

Abstract Adolescents and young adults are at high risk of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in sub-Saharan Africa. Previous reports have found that university students in Africa comprise a sexually active population, although the prevalence of HIV or sexually transmitted infections (STI) has not been measured. We conducted a cross-sectional survey of students from five large universities in Kampala, Uganda, using respondent-driven sampling. We asked students to complete behavioral questionnaires and provide biological samples to test for HIV, Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Treponema pallidum, Trichomonas vaginalis, and bacterial vaginosis. We enrolled 649 students and obtained interpretable data from 640. Around 50% of the respondents were male, and the mean age was 22 years. An estimated 0.8% (95% CI 0.0–2.0) of male students had Chlamydia infection, approximately 4.3% (95% CI 2.0–7.0) had syphilis, 0.4% (95% CI 0.0–0.9) had HIV, and none had gonorrhea. An estimated 32.6% (95% CI 22.4–40.8) of women had bacterial vaginosis, 2.5% (95% CI 0.7–6.3) had Chlamydia infection, 1.7% (95% CI 0.5–3.6) had syphilis, 1.0% (95% CI 0.0–2.4) had gonorrhea, 0.9% (95% CI 0.0–4.2) had trichomoniasis, and 0.9% (95% CI 0.0–1.8) had HIV. We found no significant risk factors for HIV or other STI among males. We also found that not using a condom during the latest sexual intercourse was significantly associated with HIV infection, other STI, or bacterial vaginosis (OR 2.16; 95% 1.26–3.78) among females. We conclude that while university students are sexually active and there is substantial risk for syphilis, there is little evidence of substantially increased HIV risk among them.


2013 ◽  
Vol 46 (2) ◽  
pp. 214-224 ◽  
Author(s):  
HALIMAH AWANG ◽  
LI PING WONG ◽  
ROHANA JANI ◽  
WAH YUN LOW

SummaryThis study examines the knowledge of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) among male youths in Malaysia. A self-administered survey was carried out on a sample of 952 never-married males aged 15–24 years. The respondents were asked about their knowledge of STDs, how these diseases get transmitted and their sexual behaviours. The data showed that 92% of the respondents knew of at least one STD (syphilis, gonorrhoea, chlamydia, herpes, genital warts, yeast infection, trichomoniasis or HIV/AIDS). About 95% of them knew of at least one method of STD transmission. Urban and tertiary-educated male youths showed a substantially higher proportion of awareness of STDs and transmission methods compared with their rural and less-educated counterparts. The data also indicated that 10% of the study sample admitted to having had sexual experiences. There were still a large proportion of the respondents who were not aware of STDs other than syphilis and HIV/AIDS and the means of transmission, such as multiple sex partners, including those who claimed to be sexually active. Thus there is a need for more concerted efforts to disseminate information on STDs and transmission methods to a wider audience in Malaysia, especially youths in rural areas.


Sexual Health ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melonie M. Walcott ◽  
Ellen Funkhouser ◽  
Maung Aung ◽  
Mirjam C. Kempf ◽  
John Ehiri ◽  
...  

Objectives Gender norms, especially among men, can reduce the effectiveness of HIV prevention programs. We sought to assess the association between attitudes towards gender norms and risky sexual behaviours, and identify sociodemographic factors that predict gender-inequitable and masculinity norms among men in western Jamaica. Methods: A cross-sectional, survey of 549 men aged 19–54 years was conducted. Attitudes towards gender norms were measured using the Gender Equitable Men and Macho scales. Logistic regression and general linear models were used to assess associations between gender norms and multiple sexual partners, and to identify the associated sociodemographic factors. Adjusted odds ratios (AORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) are presented. Results: Fifty-four percent of the participants (mean age = 32.4 years) reported multiple sex partners and 22% reported unprotected sex with non-regular partner in the past 12 months. Men with moderate (AOR = 2.2; 95% CI = 1.4–3.3) and high (AOR = 4.2; 95% CI = 2.0–8.5) support for inequitable gender norms, and moderate (AOR = 1.7; 95% CI = 1.1–2.7) and high (AOR = 2.5; 95% CI = 1.5–4.3) support for masculinity norms were more likely to report multiple sex partners. Similarly, men with moderate (AOR = 2.4; 95% CI = 1.3–4.3) and high (AOR = 2.5; 95% CI = 1.2–5.2) support for inequitable gender norms were more likely to report unprotected sex with a nonregular partner. Conclusion: A high proportion of Jamaican men engage in risky sexual behaviours. These results highlight the need for behaviour change interventions addressing gender norms targeting Jamaican men.


BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. e032950
Author(s):  
Hanna Vautrin ◽  
Nicolas Senn ◽  
Christine Cohidon

ObjectivesTo describe the activities of general practitioners (GPs) pertaining to primary prevention in the field of affective and sexual life, studying the advice they provide as well as their vaccination practices.DesignCross-sectional national survey.Setting/participantsThe study was carried out using the Swiss Primary Care Active Monitoring GPs’ network, a national GP network created in 2012. One hundred and seventy Swiss GPs, from a random sample from professional lists stratified by canton, participated in the present study.Primary and secondary outcome measuresPrevention practices against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) performed by GPs through advice provided as well as their vaccination practices. Predictive factor of these practices through their links with the doctors’ relevant characteristics and their opinions about STI prevention.ResultsApproximately 80% consider prevention in the area of affective and sexual life to be part of their duty and discuss it easily with patients. Most of them spontaneously give advice regarding STIs during a routine consultation. Regarding human papillomavirus (HPV) immunisation in adults, almost half of GPs report never doing it, while almost 75% often or always immunise their adult patients against hepatitis B. Higher numbers of consultations per day are associated with vaccinating more adults against HPV (OR 1.13 (1.05 to 1.23)) and against hepatitis A (OR 1.17 (1.05 to 1.31)). Vaccinating children against hepatitis B is associated with practising in rural areas (OR 4.64 (1.20 to 17.98)). GPs practising in the French-speaking region of Switzerland immunise children less against HPV (OR 0.40 (0.20 to 0.80)). Longer consultations are associated with providing advice on affective and sexual life during a first consultation (OR 1.08 (1.01 to 1.14)).ConclusionSwiss GPs are involved in primary prevention against STIs and consider it as their responsibility. Prevention practices are associated with GPs’ favourable opinions on prevention.


2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. S212-S213
Author(s):  
Timothy William. Menza ◽  
Lauren Lipira ◽  
Amisha Bhattarai ◽  
Joseph Ramirez ◽  
Roberto Orellana

Abstract Background Rectal gonorrhea and Chlamydia are common and predict HIV acquisition among men who have sex with men (MSM); however, screening for rectal sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is not routine. Methods In 2017, we recruited sexually-active MSM in the Portland, Oregon metropolitan area through venue-based sampling. Our outcome of interest was self-reported rectal STI screening in the prior 12 months. Stratified by HIV status, we assessed the prevalence and demographic, healthcare, clinical, and behavioral predictors of screening. Results Of 448 participants, 168 (37.5%) reported rectal STI screening. One hundred twenty-seven (35.8%) of 355 HIV-negative men, 41 (58.6%) of 70 HIV-positive men, and none of 23 men who did not know their HIV status reported screening. Among HIV-negative men, having a healthcare provider who offered HIV testing (adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR]=2.09; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.43, 3.04), a syphilis diagnosis (aPR=1.32; 95% CI: 1.03, 1.69), use of pre-exposure prophylaxis (aPR=1.57; 95% CI 1.21, 2.04), and condomless anal sex with casual partners in the prior 12 months (aPR=1.74; 95% CI: 1.36, 2.22) independently predicted screening for rectal STI in multivariable analysis. HIV-positive men who reported having a provider who always or often initiates conversations about sex were significantly more likely to report screening compared with men who did not have such a provider (aPR=1.48; 95% CI: 1.06, 2.06). Conclusion Rectal STI screening is not universal in a venue-based sample of sexually-active MSM. Implementing innovative, acceptable, and accessible screening practices and improving provider comfort with talking about sex are paramount to increasing rectal STI screening. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.


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