The effect of sexually transmitted infections health education on youth knowledge and attitudes: a pre-post interventional study.

BACKGROUND

One of the biggest issues facing public health is sexually transmitted infections, or STIs. Every day, about a million STIs are discovered worldwide.

AIM OF THE STUDY

Current study aimed to evaluate how well health education sessions affected the level of improvement in STI knowledge and attitude.

METHODS

One hundred eighty-nine students participated in a Pre-Post intervention study design, 95 of whom were non-Health science and 94 of whom were health science. Data was gathered via a self-administered questionnaire. The sexually transmitted disease knowledge questionnaire (STDs-KQ), sociodemographic information, and attitudes toward STIs were also covered. Students are given access to health education programs. Prior to and twice following the intervention program, assessments of the students' knowledge and disposition were conducted.

RESULTS

The knowledge level significantly increased right after the session (p-value < 0.001). When evaluated four months later, the student's knowledge about STIs had somewhat declined from its level immediately following the intervention. Nonetheless, it is significantly higher than the pre-intervention level (p-value 0.001). Over the course of the study, all participants' attitude levels gradually and significantly increased (p-value < 0.001).After four months, the type of faculty, Maternal's educational background, and socioeconomic state were all significant predictors of the degree of knowledge. After four months, the type of collage and the level of knowledge were important predictors of the attitude level.

CONCLUSION

The study concluded that university students' attitudes and knowledge regarding STI prevention were improved by the training sessions. Based on that conclusion all university students should get health education about STIs. Using modern technology, like as smartphone applications and online e-learning courses, could maintain and improve individuals level of knowledge about STIs. The study could raise awareness of a sensitive and very important subject that people prefer to avoid discussing.