Title: A Study on Knowledge and Awareness about Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and Aids among Adolescents of Urban Areas of Jabalpur District
Authors: Dr Shubhangi Nayak, Dr Neelam Toppo, Dr Shashi Prabha Tomar, Dr Pradeep Kasar
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v3i12.28
Abstract
BACKGROUND -Adolescence is defined by United Nations as the period of life from age 10 to 19 years Adolescents are more at risk for STIs than older adults. The World Health Organization estimates that 20% of persons living with HIV/AIDS are in their 20s and one out of twenty adolescents contract an STI each year.[1]
OBJECTIVE- To assess the knowledge of adolescents about STIs and AIDS in urban areas of Jabalpur district.
MATERIALS AND METHODS- A cross sectional study was conducted in schools and anganwadis of urban areas of Jabalpur district. 400 adolescents (200 boys and 200 girls) were randomly selected as study subjects. A pre- designed questionnaire was used.
RESULTS- In our study less than 50% of adolescents were aware of the signs and symptoms of STI in urban areas. 37.75% adolescents knew that sexually transmitted infections are curable and 23.25% knew that many persons with STI don’t show symptoms. 29.25% adolescents knew that using condom prevents STI. 77.5% boys and 55% girls had heard about AIDS.
CONCLUSION-This study has reflected poor level of knowledge regarding STI and AIDS in urban areas.
KEYWORDS- Adolescents, STI (Sexually transmitted infections), AIDS (Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome).
References
1. O. A. Olasode, “Sexual behaviour in adolescents and young people attending a sexually transmitted disease clinic, Ile Ife, Nigeria,” Indian Journal of Sexually Transmitted Diseases, vol. 28, no. 2, pp. 83–86, 2007.
2. E. C. Tilson, V. Sanchez, C. L. Ford et al., “Barriers to asymptomatic screening and other STD services for adolescents and young adults: focus group discussions,” BMC Public Health, vol. 4, article 21, 04.
3. P. T. Adegun, O. A. Solomon, S. A. Adegoke, J. P. Ade-Ojo, and M. O. Fape, “Knowledge of sexually transmitted Infections among patients attending outpatient clinics at University Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria,” Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology, vol. 5, no. 3, pp. 110–114, 2013.
4. NACO, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (2007) HIV Fact Sheets, Based on
HIV sentinel surveillance data in India. http://www.nacoonline.org/upload/NACO%20PDF/HIV_Fact_Sheets_2006.pdf
5. International Institute for Population Sciences. (2007). National Family Health Survey (NFHS-3), 2005-06: India. Mumbai, India: International Institute for Population Sciences.
6. O. Alubo, K. Oyediran, and A. Odiachi, Adolescent Sexuality and Reproductive Health in Benue State, Nigeria, Centre for Development and Population Activities CEDPA/Nigeria, 2002.
7. National Population Commission (NPC) and ORC Macro, Nigerian Demographic and Health Survey, 2003, National Population Commission and ORC Macro, Calverton, Md, USA, 2004.
8. M. Anwar, S. A. S. Sulaiman, K. Ahmadi, and T. M. Khan, “Awareness of school students on sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and their sexual behavior: a cross-sectional study conducted in Pulau Pinang, Malaysia,” BMC Public Health, vol. 10, article 47, 2010.
9. International Centre for Research on Women and CMC Vellore. 2003. Reproductive tract infections amongst married adolescents in Tamil Nadu.
10. Apte, H. 1997. Adolescent sexuality and fertility: A study in rural western Maharashtra. In Population Council, comp., Summaries of research undertaken/planned on male involvement. Papers presented at the Workshop on research related to male involvement in reproductive health and contraceptive use.
11. Anjum Shahid, Abdul Ghaffar Pirzada, Ashfaque Ahmed Memon.Perception regarding reproductive health among adolescents of rural Sindh, Pakistan. South East Asia Journal of Public Health.Vol 2,No 1 (2012)
12. P. V. Kotecha, Sangita V. Patel, V. S. Mazumdar, R. K. Baxi, Shobha Misra, Mansi Diwanji,Harsh Bakshi, Ekta Modi, Sandeep Shah, and Kalpita Shringarpure.Reproductive health awareness among urban school going adolescents in Vadodara city. Indian J Psychiatry. 2012 Oct-Dec; 54(4): 344–348.
13. Kotecha P V, Patel S, Baxi R K, Mazumdar V S, Misra S, Modi E, Diwanji M.Reproductive health awareness among rural school going adolescents of Vadodara district. Indian J Sex Transm Dis 2009; 30:94-9.
14. Kushwah S S, Mittal A. Perceptions and practice with regard to reproductive health among out-of-school adolescents. Indian J Community Med 2007;32:141-3.