Al-Sahli Nujud Hassan, Alhammaqi Zahra Essa, Alruwailiy Raghad Faisal, Alzahrani Shatha Ahmed, Hakami Asma Ahmed, Al Mansour Ashjan Saeed, Khawaji Ola Abdu Yahya, Bakhsh Hanadi
Collage of Nursing, Princess Nora Bint Abdul Rahman University, Riyadh 11564, Saudi Arabia.
Faculty of Medical Sciences, Medicine, University of Groningen, 9712 CP Groningen, The Netherlands.
Healthcare (Basel). 2024 Jul 18;12(14):1437. doi: 10.3390/healthcare12141437.
This study aimed to comprehensively assess the knowledge, awareness, and misconceptions regarding sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among women in Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 600 women aged 18-55 from various regions across the country. The findings revealed moderate overall STI knowledge, with gaps in understanding transmission routes (31.7%), recognizing symptoms (40.8%), and awareness of prevention methods (35.2%). Prevalent misconceptions included the belief that STIs can spread through casual contact (38%), only individuals with multiple partners are at risk (30%), and STIs are always symptomatic (32%). Demographic factors such as age, education level, and marital status significantly influenced STI knowledge, while residential area did not. Higher education, particularly bachelor's degrees and above, was strongly associated with better awareness. Digital platforms like the internet and social media emerged as significant sources of STI information. Undergoing STI testing, discussing STIs with partners, using protection, and receiving the HPV vaccine were linked to higher knowledge levels. This study highlights the need for targeted educational interventions, integration of sexual health education into curricula, training healthcare providers, community engagement, and leveraging digital platforms to enhance STI awareness and prevention efforts among Saudi women.
本研究旨在全面评估沙特阿拉伯女性对性传播感染（STIs）的知识、认识及误解。对来自该国不同地区的600名18至55岁女性进行了横断面调查。研究结果显示，女性对性传播感染的总体知识水平中等，在理解传播途径（31.7%）、识别症状（40.8%）和预防方法认知（35.2%）方面存在差距。普遍存在的误解包括认为性传播感染可通过偶然接触传播（38%）、只有多个性伴侣的个体有风险（30%）以及性传播感染总是有症状（32%）。年龄、教育水平和婚姻状况等人口统计学因素对性传播感染知识有显著影响，而居住地区则无影响。高等教育，尤其是本科及以上学历，与更好地认识性传播感染密切相关。互联网和社交媒体等数字平台成为性传播感染信息的重要来源。接受性传播感染检测、与伴侣讨论性传播感染、使用保护措施以及接种人乳头瘤病毒（HPV）疫苗与更高的知识水平相关。本研究强调需要进行有针对性的教育干预，将性健康教育纳入课程，培训医疗保健提供者，开展社区参与，并利用数字平台提高沙特女性对性传播感染的认识和预防措施。
