Adolescents' awareness of sexually transmitted infections

Abstract

This study aims to explore adolescents' awareness of sexually transmitted infections (STis), with regards to the knowledge of STis in relation to the prevention, transmission and management of these infections. This study also explores whether education is a resource for the prevention of STis. Ethical approval and other necessary permissions were obtained from all respective authorities prior commencing this project. In order to fulfill the aim and objectives of this study, a self-administered structured questionnaire was distributed to a sample of 70 new recruits to the Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS), University of Malta (UOM) by convenience non-probability sampling. 64 participants completed the questionnaires, obtaining a 94.1% (n= 64) response rate. The data obtained was analysed manually through simple percentages and open ended questions were analysed using content analysis. Findings of this study showed that the most commonly identified STis among adolescents were human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and human papillomavirus (HPV) and more than three quarters of all students knew that STis could be asymptomatic and prevented by means of using the male condom. Additionally, the majority were aware that the preferred place to refer to if suspecting an STI is the genitourinary (GU) clinic. The most commonly identified transmission method of STis was blood and the majority of all respondents were aware that untreated STis may lead to infertility. Although they had received information on STis prior to their admission to University, the majority of participants wanted to know more about these infections. The findings obtained were discussed and compared to other similar studies discussed in the literature review. Overall findings of this study were found to be comparable to other studies conducted abroad; however awareness regarding the symptoms of STis was found to be deficient among local and foreign adolescents. In light of these results, the researcher suggested some recommendations for education, practice and research. These include amongst others: the provision of educational programmes to parents and teenagers; the establishment of a GU clinic for adolescents; using media to inform the public regarding STis and replicating the study on a larger scale using random sampling or through a qualitative approach.