Abstract
The objectives of this study were to determine the knowledge and attitude toward STI prevention, and actual situation of infections (chlamydia and gonorrhea infections) among out-of-school youth in the Philippines. As many as 129 out-of-school youth age 13-20 years old were participated in this study in September 2017. A self-administered questionnaire was used to assess characteristics, knowledge of STIs; sexual behavior; counselors for sexual problems; access to the internet; concerns about STIs; coping with STI symptoms using the scenario setting; sexual risks for STIs; and opinion. The presence or absence of chlamydia and gonorrhea infections in urine was determined with using Aptima Combo 2 Assay. Data was analyzed statistically with using mean, standard deviation, percentage, Mann-Whitney U, and Chi-square. p Value of <0.05 were considered statistically significant. The subjects were concerned about STI and had basic knowledge toward STI prevention but negative attitude toward safer sex. On the urine test, ten out of 126 participants (7.9%) had positive reactions about chlamydia and three of them were co-infection with gonorrhea. Female participants were much more likely to get infected (12.8%) than male (3.2%). In conclusion, the knowledge toward STI prevention had no correlation with their attitude. Therefore, sexual education is not enough to focus on STI knowledge but also put more emphasis on practice to promote safer sexual behavior.
Highlights
The incidence of sexually transmitted infection (STI) among young individuals in the Philippines is increasing [1,2]; this results in serious reproductive health problems in young people throughout their lifetime
With regards to educational status, 22.5% of the of-school youth (OSY) attend the alternative learning system (ALS), which is a parallel learning system in the Philippines that provides a practical alternative to the existing formal instruction for those who cannot access formal education in schools
The rest of the OSY did not attend school at all, and among them, 15.9% stopped attending before graduating elementary school
Summary
The incidence of sexually transmitted infection (STI) among young individuals in the Philippines is increasing [1,2]; this results in serious reproductive health problems in young people throughout their lifetime. The Muntinlupa health center provides health services for young individuals through adolescent programs on sexual education, including on STI prevention. 1 in ten women aged 15-19 years who dropped out from school had given birth, and 40% were not educated. [6] Lack of education may prevent them from seeking information, about STI prevention, from health centers and schools and put them at high risk of acquiring STIs. there is lack of reports demonstrating the knowledge and attitudes toward STI prevention and the association with the prevalence of STIs among OSY in the Philippines
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