Knowledge about Transmission Dynamics of Sexually Transmitted Infections.
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Date
2011-12
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Abstract
Background : Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
disproportionately affect women who also bear much more
severe morbidity, get severe consequences if not treated
and even transmit disease to offsprings during pregnancy.
Improving awareness and knowledge of STIs is a key for
prevention but majority females don’t have this information
making them more susceptible to STIs and reinfections.
Objectives : To determine the awareness and level of
knowledge about transmission dynamics of STI among the
female patients attending Gynecology out-patient department
and to assess the various factors related with it.
Methodology : Cross-sectional study was conducted
among female patients presenting to Gynecology OPD of a
tertiary hospital in Delhi with signs and symptoms
suggestive of STIs. Exit interview of 100 patients was done
by using a pretested structured questionnaire. Knowledge
level was graded into Poor knowledge (0-8) and Good
knowledge (9-16) on a 16-point score card. Chi square
was applied.
Results : Only 62 (62%) patients had heard about STIs.
The fact that STIs can be prevented by abstinence, being
faithful and condoms was known to 25 (25%), 35 (35%)
and 28 (28%) patients respectively. Only 21 (21%) patients
had good knowledge, significantly more among literates
and working females. Reinfection was reported by 9 (9%)
patients and it was significantly more in migrants.
Conclusion
Knowledge of respondents about STIs is very low,
particularly among illiterates and housewives. There is a
potential to control STIs by making females aware of the
uses of condom. Reinfection was significantly more in
migrants, so there is a need to focus IEC services to
migrants.
Description
Keywords
STIs, transmission, knowledge, reinfection
Citation
Kaur Suminder, Sabharwal Diksha, Talwar Richa, Raut D K. Knowledge about Transmission Dynamics of Sexually Transmitted Infections. Indian Medical Gazette. 2011 Dec ; 145 (12): 470-475.