Abstract
Background: Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) remain one of the most important health challenges in not only developing countries but also developed countries. Discussing STDs in the Saudi society is considered taboo, as social factors and ethics give rise to many obstacles. This study evaluates the knowledge of STDs among young adult students enrolled in Albaha University. Methods: This research is a cross-sectional study involving 1902 young adult students registered at Albaha University. STDs knowledge scores (STDs-KSs) were calculated using a predesigned and validated STDs knowledge questionnaire with 27 items adapted from previously developed questionnaires. Results: The estimated overall mean of STDs-KS was 7.95 ± 4.29. Female participants showed a significantly higher mean of STDs-KS, compared to males (8.51 ± 4.14 vs. 7.32 ± 4.38, p < 0.0001). Participants registered in health sciences programs showed higher STDs-KS, compared to participants from arts and sciences programs (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: Evidence from this study suggests a lack of STDs knowledge among young adults. To promote STDs awareness among this population, more health educational programs should be included in school curricula at the late stages of secondary education.
Highlights
Transmitted diseases (STDs) remain one of the most important health challenges in developing countries, and developed countries
In Saudi Arabia, research reports that in period between 2005 and 2012 there were 68,886 new cases of STDs. Of these cases, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients consist of around 14.3% (n = 9843, with an approximate average of 1406 new cases per year) of all cases, whereas non-gonococcal urethritis cases are the highest STDs, which consist of 51.7%
This is followed by trichomoniasis (18.4%), gonococcal urethritis (4.4%), syphilis (2.6%), genital warts (5.8%), genital herpes (2.2%), and chancroid (0.7%)
Summary
Transmitted diseases (STDs) remain one of the most important health challenges in developing countries, and developed countries. In Saudi Arabia, research reports that in period between 2005 and 2012 there were 68,886 new cases of STDs. In Saudi Arabia, research reports that in period between 2005 and 2012 there were 68,886 new cases of STDs Of these cases, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients consist of around 14.3% (n = 9843, with an approximate average of 1406 new cases per year) of all cases, whereas non-gonococcal urethritis cases are the highest STDs, which consist of 51.7%. In 2009, the World Health Organization highlighted the importance of a comprehensive STDs control strategy, which includes the promotion and provision of prevention strategies, targeted community-based interventions, reliable data to guide the response, as well as effective clinical services for STD patients. The World Health Organization emphasizes the value of knowledge and awareness of the population, as this promotes a drop in the rate of STD incidences and prevalence in the long-run [2]. This study evaluates the knowledge of STDs among young adult students enrolled in Albaha University
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