S Sonia, P Vengatachalapathy, Kumaravel Arthipriya, M Jannath Hameeda Banu, S Adikrishnan
Dermatology, Venereology, Leprosy, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, IND.
Dermatology, Venereology, Leprosy, Government Medical College and Hospital, Thiruvallur, Chennai, IND.
Cureus. 2024 Dec 23;16(12):e76281. doi: 10.7759/cureus.76281. eCollection 2024 Dec.
Introduction Sexually transmitted infections (STIs), which contribute to a significant amount of mortality and morbidity in the reproductive life of adults, are infections that can be prevented by healthy sexual behavior and education about the same. This study aims to assess the knowledge and attitude toward STIs and contraceptive use among patients attending the Venereology Outpatient Department (OPD). Methods A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among patients more than 18 years of age attending the Venereology OPD, Government Medical College and Hospital, Thiruvallur, India, from March to May 2024. The sample size was calculated to be 458. Data were collected using a self-administered, semi-structured questionnaire divided into four sections: sociodemographic characteristics, sexual risk behavior and their awareness of contraceptive use, knowledge of STI symptoms and transmission, and attitude of the patients toward STIs. Ethical approval (IEC/4/2022 dated 08.02.2024) and participant consent were obtained. Statistical analysis, including the chi-square test, was performed and results were presented. Results Of the study population, 50.4% were males, 49.1% were females, and 0.4% (n=2) were transgender individuals. STI screening and treatment rates were 22.1% and 19.4%, respectively. Contraceptive use was highest among bisexual individuals (50%), followed by homosexual (15%) and heterosexual individuals (11.8%). Similarly, treatment for STIs was reported in 55% of homosexuals, 50% of bisexuals, and 15.8% of heterosexuals. Among participants with multiple sexual partners, 30% reported contraceptive use as compared to less than 10% of those with single partners. Treatment for STIs was also higher in participants with multiple partners (65.2%) as compared to those with single partners (11.5%). The median knowledge score about STIs was 6.32, with only 44.3% of participants demonstrating good knowledge. The median attitude score was 52.63, with 44.3% showing a positive attitude toward STIs. Conclusion The overall knowledge and attitude towards STIs were below par. Thus, the current study has found the need for sexual health education among patients and to create awareness of contraceptive use to fill gaps in existing knowledge, which can further reduce the risk of STIs among them.
引言 性传播感染（STIs）在成年人的生殖生活中导致了大量的死亡率和发病率，这些感染可通过健康的性行为及相关教育加以预防。本研究旨在评估性病门诊患者对性传播感染和避孕方法的知识及态度。方法 2024年3月至5月，在印度蒂鲁瓦勒尔政府医学院附属医院性病门诊对18岁以上患者开展了一项基于医院的横断面研究。计算得出样本量为458。使用自行填写的半结构化问卷收集数据，问卷分为四个部分：社会人口学特征、性风险行为及其对避孕方法的知晓情况、性传播感染症状和传播途径的知识，以及患者对性传播感染的态度。获得了伦理批准（IEC/4/2022，日期为2024年2月8日）并取得了参与者的同意。进行了包括卡方检验在内的统计分析并呈现结果。结果 在研究人群中，50.4%为男性，49.1%为女性，0.4%（n = 2）为跨性别者。性传播感染筛查率和治疗率分别为22.1%和19.4%。双性恋者的避孕使用率最高（50%），其次是同性恋者（15%）和异性恋者（11.8%）。同样，55%的同性恋者、50%的双性恋者和15.8%的异性恋者报告接受了性传播感染治疗。在有多个性伴侣的参与者中，30%报告使用了避孕方法，而只有单一性伴侣的参与者这一比例不到10%。有多个性伴侣的参与者的性传播感染治疗率（65.2%）也高于只有单一性伴侣的参与者（11.5%）。关于性传播感染的知识得分中位数为6.32，只有44.3%的参与者知识掌握良好。态度得分中位数为52.63，44.3%的参与者对性传播感染持积极态度。结论 对性传播感染的总体知识和态度低于平均水平。因此，本研究发现有必要对患者进行性健康教育，并提高对避孕方法的认识，以填补现有知识空白，这可进一步降低他们中性传播感染的风险。
