A Survey on Knowledge, Prevention, and Occurrence of Sexually Transmitted Infections among Freshmen from Four Italian Universities

Improvement and exacerbation of multiple disparities in sexually transmitted infections among children and adolescents aged 6-22 years: An analysis of national surveillance data from 2013 to 2021

To investigate the progress of disparities in human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS), gonorrhea, and syphilis among children and adolescents aged 6-22 years in China during 2013-2021. A total of 614 325 cases data were extracted from the Chinese Information System for Infectious Diseases Control and Prevention during 2013-2021. Puberty health education data were drew from the Student Health Surveillance in 2021. Disparity patterns and average annual percentage changes (AAPCs) in sexually transmitted infections (STIs) incidence or new cases in China were examined using descriptive statistics and joinpoint regression. The incidence across 345 cities was stratified by gross domestic product (GDP). Between 2013 and 2021, there were 614 325 reported cases of HIV/AIDS, gonorrhea, and syphilis among children and adolescents aged 6-22, with an annual average incidence of 24.0967 per 100 000. The expansion of HIV/AIDS has halted, yet the surge in gonorrhea and syphilis remains notably pronounced. The ratio of male to female AIDS incidence increased from 2.75 (2.60, 2.90) to 7.13 (6.68, 7.62), but that of syphilis changed from 0.33 (0.32, 0.34) to 0.56 (0.55, 0.57). Students and out-of-school individuals aged 13-15 experienced a notably high increase in STI cases, surpassing other age groups, with an average annual percentage increase of 29.2% and 26.3%, respectively. Nonstudents consistently had a higher incidence rate than students, with an IRR reaching 31.80 (31.24, 32.37) in 2021. A noticeable clustering pattern of new cases emerged in the southeastern region of the Heihe-Tengchong line, extending inland from the coastal areas. Districts and counties with lower rates of puberty sexual health education tended to have higher average STI incidence rates. At the prefecture and city levels, there was a noticeable upward trend on average STI incidence rates in cities with per capita GDPs. Strategies to address those disparities include promoting equitable health education, and widespread sexual health education, particularly in areas with limited access to education and experiencing rapid economic development. The effectiveness of sexual health education intervention needs to be further evaluated in well-designed studies.

Predictors of Condom Use among College Students

Consistent condom use is recognized as one of the most effective strategies to prevent unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections. Despite their effectiveness, condoms remain fairly well used among younger people. The conception of appropriate measures to change behaviors needs a deep understanding of the factors underlying poor adherence to condom use. This study aims to identify the predictors of condom use among college students. A cross-sectional, correlational, and predictive study was conducted involving a convenience sample of 1946 university students, with an average age of 21 years (20.74 ± 2.32). Pender's Health Promotion Model (HPM) was used as a conceptual and methodological framework to understand the relationship between the predictors of condom use. An explanatory theoretical model of condom use behavior was established using path analysis. Condom use among young people is infrequent, with only 39.4% of respondents reporting consistent use. Perceived benefits, positive feelings, and interpersonal influences emerged as variables with the most explicitly positive influence on the commitment to condom use, a trend confirmed for both sexes. Commitment was the strongest predictor of condom use behavior (β = 0.580; p < 0.001). Pender's HPM is effective in explaining the relationships between the predictors of condom use.

Nursing students' knowledge and attitudes on sexually transmitted infections prevention at training institution in Namibia

Background

Insufficient knowledge about sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among nursing students can impact patient care and outcomes. To address this, comprehensive STI education is crucial.

Aim

This study aimed to assess knowledge and attitudes of nursing students regarding STI prevention and control.

Setting

The research was conducted at a nursing training institution in Windhoek, Namibia.

Methods

The research employed a cross-sectional design with 73 participants.

Results

Outcomes revealed that 63.0% had satisfactory knowledge and 79.5% exhibited positive attitudes. A significant association was noted between knowledge and participants' sex. Male participants displayed poor knowledge (70%). No significant relationship existed between demographic characteristics and attitudes.

Conclusion

The study concluded lower than expected knowledge regarding STIs among nursing students that implicated patients' care.

Contribution

Integrating STI education into nursing curricula can improve students' competences that enhance patients' care.

Adolescents' Perceptions of Sexuality: A Qualitative Study

Adolescents have a greater risk of acquiring sexually transmitted infections (STIs), which is a serious public health problem. Education is an effective strategy to improve adolescent sexual health outcomes. However, Spanish adolescents have a lack of sex education. The aim of this study was to explore the perceptions and opinions of a sample of adolescents regarding sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Photovoice is a research method that uses the search for images of everyday events with the intention of bringing about social change. An exploratory, descriptive design was used with a qualitative approach based on the Photovoice methodology. The sample consisted of 26 high school and baccalaureate students of Almería (Spain) selected through a convenience sample. The age of the participants ranged from 14 to 17 years, with a mean age of 15.31 years. Two main categories were extracted from the data analysis: 'Towards a culture of preventing STIs and promoting healthy sexual practices' and 'Adolescents' needs from their perspective'. In conclusion, numerous changes take place at the biopsychosocial level during adolescence that imply a need to explore their sexuality in depth. A lack of knowledge and a carefree attitude during sexual initiation can increase the risk of developing STIs. The study's adolescents stated that they do not have adequate sex education to acquire sufficient knowledge about sexuality and sexual health, and therefore, request that the traditional format be modified in order to achieve better results.

Exploring Knowledge and Awareness of HCV Infection and Screening Test: A Cross-Sectional Survey Among an Italian Sample

Addressing HCV represents a public health priority, especially in Italy, which has the highest HCV prevalence in Europe. This study primarily aimed to explore knowledge about the HCV infection and awareness of the existence of the HCV screening test in Italy, before the implementation of awareness campaigns in 2022. An online cross-sectional survey was conducted (December 2021-January 2022). The primary outcomes were: Disease Knowledge Score (DKS), Prevention and Transmission Knowledge Score (PTKS) (for both: scoring from 0 to 100%, higher scores corresponded to higher knowledge), and being unaware of the existence of the HCV screening. The final sample consisted of 813 participants. The median DKS was 75% (IQR = 66.7-83.3), the median PTKS was 46.2% (IQR = 38.5-53.8), and 23.2% of participants were unaware of HCV screening. Higher education, health-related study or profession, history of accidental injuries, being affected by HCV and having actively searched for information on HCV had positive associations with DKS. LGBT males showed significantly lower DKS. Considering PTKS, participants affected by HCV the disease had a negative association with this score. Having a postgraduate education reduced the likelihood of not knowing about the HCV screening test, while having at least one family member affected by hepatitis C increased this probability. This study highlighted a concerning lack of knowledge about prevention and transmission, indicating a need for targeted education campaigns. The findings emphasized the importance of information and motivation and identified male LGBT + individuals as a vulnerable group with limited disease knowledge. Future research should concern the effectiveness of awareness campaigns.

Visits to Sexually Transmitted Infection Clinics in Italy from January 2016 to November 2021: A Multicenter, Retrospective Study

There is no evidence of seasonal variation in visits to clinics dedicated to sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in Italy, nor of changes after the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic. An observational, retrospective, multicentric study was conducted to record and analyze all the visits to the STI clinics of the Dermatology Units of the University Hospitals of Ferrara and Bologna and of the Infectious Disease Unit of Ferrara, Italy, between January 2016 and November 2021. Overall, 11.733 visits were registered over a 70-month study period (63.7% males, mean age 34.5 ± 12.8 yrs). The mean number of monthly visits significantly decreased from the advent of the pandemic (136) compared to before (177). In the pre-pandemic period, visits to STI clinics increased in the autumn/winter months when compared to spring/summer, while the trend was the opposite in the pandemic period. Thus, during the pandemic, both an overall significant reduction in visits to STI clinics and a reversal in their seasonality were observed. These trends affected males and females equally. The marked decrease, mostly found in the pandemic winter months, can be linked to the "lockdown"/self-isolation ordinances and social distancing measures during the colder months, coinciding with the spread of the COVID-19 infection, which limited the opportunities for meeting and socializing.

Knowledge difference of sexually transmitted infections between Hong Kong undergraduates from local and international secondary schools: A cross-sectional study

Background

Since the delivery of sex education is not standardized across local and international secondary schools in Hong Kong, this study aims to assess and compare the knowledge level of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) between university students who attended local and international secondary schools in Hong Kong.

Methods

From January to March 2019, we conducted a cross-sectional survey among undergraduates at the University of Hong Kong. The primary outcome was STI knowledge as measured by a 29-item quiz. A higher quiz score meant a better STI knowledge level. Students' attitude toward sexual health and their sex education history was collected. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to evaluate the association factor with a better STI knowledge level.

Results

Three hundred and ninety six students were included in the analysis. Three hundred thirty three (85.35%) students attended local secondary schools and 58 (14.65%) students attended international secondary schools in Hong Kong; 200 (50.51%) students were male and 196 (49.49%) students were female. Compared with students from local secondary school, those from international secondary schools had a significantly higher STI quiz score (18.19 vs. 15.4, p = 0.003). The results of multiple linear regression revealed that students in a higher year of study (β = 1.07, p < 0.001), from medical faculties (β = 6.96, p < 0.001), and from international secondary schools (β = 2.27, p = 0.003) achieved a higher STI quiz score.

Conclusion

University students who attended international secondary schools in Hong Kong possess a significantly higher knowledge level of STIs compared with those who attended local secondary schools. Nonetheless, the overall STI awareness among university students is inadequate. The inadequacy of STI awareness calls for the need to plan and implement satisfactory, comprehensive, and standardized sex education across the overall education system in Hong Kong.

Young People Awareness of Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Contraception: A Portuguese Population-Based Cross-Sectional Study

Adolescents and young adults are an important target concerning reducing health-risk behavior adoption, including sexual health. Studying their knowledge concerning sexuality and their main counsellors, can be an important step in targeting an updated health promotion approach. This study characterized adolescents and young adults' knowledge and attitudes about sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), and contraception, prospecting for their main trusted counseling sources. We conducted a cross-sectional, population-based, self-report survey of 746 individuals aged between 14 and 24 years from Paredes, Portugal. The questionnaire included many dimensions, as demographic characteristics, youth behavior, currently sexually active status, main counselors concerning health topics, awareness, and knowledge about STDs and contraception. Mean age of the participants was 18.3 years, 50.5% of them had started their sexual activity. Males present themselves as more sexually active, starting earlier, and have more sexual partners than females. Participants reported an adequate knowledge perception about STDs and contraception methods, however we found different patterns on specific STDs and contraceptive methods, according to gender, age, and sexually active status. Our results help design specific interventions to reach youth, community, and healthcare providers, pointing out the value of bringing people to the center of health policies.

Associations between Awareness of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and Prevalence of STIs among Sub-Saharan African Men and Women

Treatments for HIV and other STIs are not readily available in sub-Saharan Africa and other resource-limited areas, where the prevalence of HIV and other STIs is high. In the absence of treatment and laboratory infrastructure to monitor treatment efficacy, increasing awareness of STIs and STI screening are crucial components of STI prevention programs. In the current study, we sought to estimate the awareness of STIs in resource-limited countries and evaluate the strength of the association between the awareness of STIs and STIs infection. We did a secondary analysis of data obtained from 2019 women and 794 men enrolled in a community-based study that was conducted from November 2002 to March 2003 in the Moshi Urban District of Northern Tanzania. We found gonorrhea, syphilis, and HIV/AIDS were well-known among the study participants. However, their awareness of other STIs, including herpes, was very low. We also found that the awareness of STIs was not associated with STIs in men, but women who had prior knowledge of gonorrhea, syphilis, and HIV had a twofold higher risk of testing positive for an STI. Education programs aimed at increasing awareness of STIs are needed in the region. The majority of the existing STI education programs in the region focus exclusively on HIV/AIDS. The expansion of the existing AIDS/HIV education programs needs to be strengthened to include information about other STIs.