Knowledge of sexually transmitted diseases among young Palestinian people: an analysis of cross-sectional survey data

Abstract

BackgroundSexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are an important reason for adults to seek health care in developing countries, given inadequate knowledge in the general population about such diseases. This study assesses the level of knowledge about STDs among Palestinians aged 14–30 years. MethodsThe Palestinian Family Health Survey 2010 from the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) included questions about young peoples’ knowledge of STDs, including AIDS, syphilis, gonorrhoea, fungal infections, and genital warts. A knowledge scale was developed from questions excluding AIDS disease, which is known by most young people. Internal consistency was α=0·62. Respondents were recorded as having either no knowledge of STDs or knowledge of at least one disease. Bivariate analysis was completed using SPSS to assess the relation between knowing any STDs and age, sex, region, locality, wealth index, educational attainment, and marital and work status. Significant associations were included in a regression model to check for confounders. Findings4402 households were included. 1675 (38·1%) respondents knew at least one of these diseases; the rest 2727 (61·9%) knew none. Logistic regression analysis revealed that respondents in Gaza were less likely to know about at least one STD than those in the West Bank (OR 0·658, 95% CI 0·573–0·754). Female respondents were more likely to know about an STD than male respondents (1·164, 1·019–1·33). Compared with young people aged 14–18 years, knowledge of at least one STD was more likely in those aged 19–23 years (1·465, 1·246–1·723) and 24–30 years (1·315, 1·11–1·557). Respondents with more than 12 years of education (10·873, 5·842–20·225) and 12 years or less (4·24, 2·342–7·677) were more likely to know of at least one STD compared with those with no education. Respondents who were not working were more likely to know of an STD compared with workers (4·971, 4·06–6·087). Young people from better-off (1·995, 1·603–2·483) and middle class families (1·293, 1·084–1·541) were more likely to know of at least one STDs compared to those from poor families (categories defined by PCBS dependent on standard of living and monthly household income). InterpretationKnowledge of STDs was reduced among young people who were younger, illiterate, male, poor, living in Gaza, and working. Provision of information to young people is needed through education, development of health-care services, and communication strategies focused on raising awareness of STDs. FundingNone.