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Berehanu Deressa Aga
Rift Valley University, Ethiopia
Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J HIV AIDS Res
Background: Sexually transmitted diseases are a major health concern for young adults around the world. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the rates of gonorrhea and syphilis are at historic lows but we must realize the rates of sexually transmitted diseases are still at epidemic rates. In fact, the United States has the highest rates of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in the industrialized world, with rates that are 50 to 100 times higher than other industrialized nations. Aim: To estimate knowledge and practice on STDs among Goro High School students in Adama town, Ethiopia. Methods: A facility based cross-sectional study was applied using quantitative method. The sample size required for the study was calculated using the formula to estimate a single population proportions. The sample size were determined by taking 50% of population and a level precision at 95% level of confidence and taking 10% for non-response then the final sample size was calculated. Results: A total of 376 students participated in this study, accordingly, majority 241 (64.1%) were 17-18 years of age, 110 (29.3%) were 19-20 years of age, 19 (5.1%) were 15-16 years of age, while 6 (1.6%) were less than 20 years of age. Among our respondent, 211 (56.1%) were males and 165 (43.9%) of them were females. The participants were asked main source of information regarding STI, accordingly, 27 (7.2%) of them were got from their previous sexual encounter and 124 (33%) were from school education. For a total 287 (76.3%) of respondents were, friends were as a source of information and parents also share 12.2% in providing an information for their children. About 77 (20.5%) of respondents were received an information from medical personnel while a total of 187 (49.7%) used magazine as source of information. Newspaper also shares 13% in transmitting information and the coverage of TV is very high which accounts 354 (94.1%). Conclusion: While the majority of the students had heard about STDs, their knowledge was inadequate. Males had a greater number of sexual partners than females but a lower age at first intercourse. School education, peer groups and mass media remains the main ways by which students learn about STDs. However, parents play a crucial role in the education of female students about sexual matters. Whereas students knew the risk factors for STDs, they had a high degree of risk taking sexual behavior evidenced by the very low percentage using condoms and a large proportion having multiple partners. Male students were more likely to practice risky sexual behavior.
