Assessment of awareness, perception and attitude about sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) among medical undergraduates in tertiary care teaching institute of Vidarbha region in Maharashtra state

摘要

Objectives: The study was designed to evaluate awareness, perception and attitude about sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) among medical college undergraduates in tertiary care teaching institute. Methods: Detailed questionnaire elicited information on demographic characteristics as well as information about knowledge, perception and attitude of the respondents towards STDs was administered to 151 second M.B.B.S students. This self administered questionnaire was used for data collection. The data was collected, compiled and then univariate analysis (percentages and frequencies) was calculated. Results: One hundred and thirty-six (96.5%) respondents had heard about sexually transmitted infections, the three most important sources of information being teachers (76.59%); internet (70.21%) and electronic media (60.28%) while information about treatment centers for STDs being govt. hospital/health centers (88.65%) and private doctors/clinics (65.24%). Ninety nine percent of the respondents knew one STD i.e. syphilis and the two most commonly mentioned ones were gonorrhea (97.87) and HIV/AIDS (96.45). 95.74% of the students knew the unprotected sex as modes of transmission of STDs while some (5-13%) of them equally had misconceptions. The most important symptoms mentioned were ulcer/sores in genital area (Male-82.26% and Female-79.43%) and discharge from vagina (73.75%). Most (50-95%) of the respondent had positive attitude towards STDs as well as good knowledge about prevention of STDs. Conclusion: The study reported satisfactory levels of awareness and knowledge of sexually transmitted diseases; with positive attitude towards STD infected people.