Merkuri Lumturi, Qorri Erda, Rizaj Xhini, Emir Busra, Shapo Leidon
Albanian University, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tirana, Albania.
Izmir Katip Celebi University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Biostatistics, Izmir, Turkey.
J Infect Dev Ctries. 2025 Apr 29;19(4):553-559. doi: 10.3855/jidc.20852.
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) pose a public health concern globally, especially among young adults. Despite efforts to address STIs transmission through sexual health education, risky behaviors persist among young adults. This study aims to assess knowledge and behaviors on STIs among university students, offering added evidence and insights for more targeted preventive interventions in the future.
Conducted between April - May 2023, our study surveyed 671 students using a structured questionnaire based on established guidelines. Data analysis utilized SPSS vs 25. Ethical considerations were adhered to, and limitations of self-reported data were acknowledged.
The findings revealed a disparity in students' knowledge and the presence of risky sexual behaviors related to STIs. We found that 72.2% of students reported they currently had sexual relations and 30.3% had multiple sexual partners. More than half did not use a condom (29.3%) or did not use a condom consistently (30.9%). Only 19.7% had been tested for STIs and almost all female students, 93.4%, had never had an HPV test.
Our findings suggest that Albanian university students show limited knowledge of STIs and currently engage in risky sexual behaviors. There is a pressing need to coordinate a program of sexual health education, implement more preventive measures, and apply regular STI screening (for those at risk). Also, healthcare experts should spearhead educational initiatives to ensure the accuracy and reliability of information, addressing misconceptions among students. This study also highlights the importance of interventions to mitigate STIs transmission risks among young adults.
性传播感染（STIs）在全球范围内引发了公共卫生问题，尤其是在年轻人当中。尽管通过性健康教育努力应对性传播感染的传播，但年轻人中的危险行为依然存在。本研究旨在评估大学生对性传播感染的认知和行为，为未来更有针对性的预防干预提供更多证据和见解。
我们的研究于2023年4月至5月进行，使用基于既定指南的结构化问卷对671名学生进行了调查。数据分析使用了SPSS 25。遵循了伦理考量，并承认了自我报告数据的局限性。
研究结果显示，学生在性传播感染知识方面存在差异，并且存在与性传播感染相关的危险性行为。我们发现，72.2%的学生报告他们目前有性行为，30.3%的学生有多个性伴侣。超过一半的学生不使用避孕套（29.3%）或并非始终使用避孕套（30.9%）。只有19.7%的学生进行过性传播感染检测，几乎所有女生（93.4%）从未进行过人乳头瘤病毒（HPV）检测。
我们的研究结果表明，阿尔巴尼亚大学生对性传播感染的了解有限，目前存在危险的性行为。迫切需要协调一项性健康教育计划，实施更多预防措施，并对（有风险的人群）定期进行性传播感染筛查。此外，医疗保健专家应带头开展教育倡议，以确保信息的准确性和可靠性，消除学生中的误解。本研究还强调了采取干预措施以降低年轻人中性传播感染传播风险的重要性。
