Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice Towards Sexually Transmitted Infections Among Women of Reproductive Age in an Urban Community Health Centre in Indonesia

Abstract

Introduction: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs), an emerging public health burden, are increasing due to a lack of understanding about their prevention. Objective: To understand the association between STI-related knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) among women of reproductive age in an urban community health centre in Jakarta, Indonesia. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study and consecutive sampling technique were employed on 50 women using a structured, self-administered questionnaire. All data were analysed using Spearman’s rank correlation, χ2, or Fisher’s exact test to test the hypothesis. Results: Encountered women had an average age of 26.80 ± 4.64 years, were married (74%), primiparous (46%), and with a high level of education (88%). The median scores for attitude and knowledge were 76.90 and 79.20, respectively, and there was a moderate correlation between these scores (ρ=0.482, p<0.001). Overall, 84% of individuals had good knowledge, and 88% of respondents had a positive attitude. Practical insight was moderate, with the rate of abstinence, using condoms, suggesting condoms, and stigmatising persons with HIV/AIDS being 54%, 32%, 2%, and 36%, respectively. Education level was a significant predictor of knowledge, and women’s attitudes toward STIs were associated with their knowledge (OR 7.80, p=0.044). There was no relationship between socio-demographic profiles and the KAP of STIs. Knowledge and attitude did not contribute significantly towards abstinence, using condoms, suggesting condoms, and HIV/AIDS-related stigmatisation due to the complexity of practice actualisation related to theories of planned behaviour. Conclusion: STI-related knowledge and attitude correlate well, but this study found that neither predicts STI-related practice.