University Students Dealing with Sexually Transmitted Infections and HIV/AIDS: Knowledge and Practice, a Cross-sectional study Conducted in Fianarantsoa, Madagascar
Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the Knowledge and attitude of the academic students about sexually transmitted infections and HIV at the university of Fianarantsoa in 2018.
Materials and methods: This was an analytical cross-sectional study conducted among undergraduate students at the University Andrainjato-Fianarantsoa. Knowledge was assessed using a score where each correct answer was given one point.
Results: 1035 students were included, 67.7% (n=701) had good knowledge about STIs, and HIV/AIDS. Sexual transmission (83.9%; n=868) was the most known. On multivariate analysis, being a student at the faculty of medicine (p<0.001, aOR 137.3 [19.1-988]), faculty of Letters (p<0.001, aOR 4.5 [2.8-7.2)]), or the Normal Graduate School (NGS) (p<0.001, aOR 6.7 [3.3-13.7]), being tested for HIV before (p= 0.002, aOR 1.6 [1.2-2.2]) constitute the major factor of good knowledge about the sexual infections. The majority (71.8%, n=743) have had sexual intercourse before, and the median age of first sexual activities was 18 years (17-20). The use of Condoms (44.4%, n=460) was the most practiced in the STIs prevention method, followed by fidelity (19.8%; n=205) and abstinence (11.4%, n=118). Among the students, 29.3% (302) had high-risk sexual behavior in the last 3 months.
Conclusion: The proportion of academic students with good knowledge of STIs and HIV is not satisfactory. There was a discordance between the knowledge of STI prevention and the daily university practice of the students.
Downloads
Metrics
References
2. Over, Mead, and Peter Piot. HIV infection and sexually transmitted diseases. Population, Health and Nutrition Division, Population and Human Resources Department, World Bank, 1991.
3. WHO. Sexually transmitted infections (STIs). WHO. World Health Organization. Disponible sur: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/sexually-transmitted-infections-(stis). [cited 3 Apr 2022]. Available: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/sexually-transmitted-infections-(stis)
4. Anwar M, Sulaiman SAS, Ahmadi K, Khan TM. Awareness of school students on sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and their sexual behavior: a cross-sectional study conducted in Pulau Pinang, Malaysia. BMC Public Health. 2010;10: 47. doi:10.1186/1471-2458-10-47
5. LEUTSCHER P, JENSEN JS, HOFFMANN S, BERTHELSEN L, RAMARAKOTO C-E, RAMANIRAKA V, et al. Sexually Transmitted Infections in Rural Madagascar at an Early Stage of the HIV Epidemic: A 6-Month Community-Based Follow-Up Study. Sex Transm Dis. 2005;32: 150–155.
6. Harms G, Matull R, Randrianasolo D, Andriamiadana J, Rasamindrakotroka A, Kirsch T, et al. Pattern of sexually transmitted diseases in a Malagasy population. Sex Transm Dis. 1994;21: 315–320. doi:10.1097/00007435-199411000-00004
7. DiClemente RJ, Wingood GM, Rose ES, Sales JM, Lang DL, Caliendo AM, et al. Efficacy of Sexually Transmitted Disease/Human Immunodeficiency Virus Sexual Risk–Reduction Intervention for African American Adolescent Females Seeking Sexual Health Services: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2009;163: 1112–1121. doi:10.1001/archpediatrics.2009.205
8. Agegnehu CD, Tesema GA. Effect of mass media on comprehensive knowledge of HIV/AIDS and its spatial distribution among reproductive-age women in Ethiopia: a spatial and multilevel analysis. BMC Public Health. 2020;20: 1420. doi:10.1186/s12889-020-09536-1
9. Romer D, Sznitman S, DiClemente R, Salazar LF, Vanable PA, Carey MP, et al. Mass Media as an HIV-Prevention Strategy: Using Culturally Sensitive Messages to Reduce HIV-Associated Sexual Behavior of At-Risk African American Youth. Am J Public Health. 2009;99: 2150–2159. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2008.155036
10. LaCroix JM, Snyder LB, Huedo-Medina TB, Johnson BT. Effectiveness of mass media interventions for HIV prevention, 1986-2013: a meta-analysis. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr. 2014 Aug 15;66 Suppl 3:S329-40. doi: 10.1097/QAI.0000000000000230. PMID: 25007204.
11. Samkange-Zeeb FN, Spallek L, Zeeb H. Awareness and knowledge of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) among school-going adolescents in Europe: a systematic review of published literature. BMC Public Health. 2011;11: 727. doi:10.1186/1471-2458-11-727
12. Kassie BA, Yenus H, Berhe R, Kassahun EA. Prevalence of sexually transmitted infections and associated factors among the University of Gondar students, Northwest Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study. Reprod Health. 2019;16: 163. doi:10.1186/s12978-019-0815-5
13. Sobze MS, Tiotsia AT, Dongho GBD, Tankui GAF, Fokam J, Tsi K-A, et al. Youth Awareness on Sexually Transmitted Infections, HIV and AIDS in Secondary Schools in the Dschang Municipality (Cameroon): The Mobile Caravan Project. J Public Health Afr. 2017;7: 614. doi:10.4081/jphia.2016.614
14. Zizza A, Guido M, Recchia V, Grima P, Banchelli F, Tinelli A. Knowledge, Information Needs and Risk Perception about HIV and Sexually Transmitted Diseases after an Education Intervention on Italian High School and University Students. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021;18: 2069. doi:10.3390/ijerph18042069
15. Eaton JW, Menzies NA, Stover J, Cambiano V, Chindelevitch L, Cori A, et al. Health benefits, costs, and cost-effectiveness of earlier eligibility for adult antiretroviral therapy and expanded treatment coverage: a combined analysis of 12 mathematical models. Lancet Glob Health. 2014;2: e23-34. doi:10.1016/S2214-109X(13)70172-4
16. Cohen MS, Chen YQ, McCauley M, Gamble T, Hosseinipour MC, Kumarasamy N, et al. Prevention of HIV-1 Infection with Early Antiretroviral Therapy. N Engl J Med. 2011;365: 493–505. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa1105243
17. Severe P, Jean Juste MA, Ambroise A, Eliacin L, Marchand C, Apollon S, et al. Early versus Standard Antiretroviral Therapy for HIV-Infected Adults in Haiti. N Engl J Med. 2010;363: 257–265. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa0910370
18. Mansor N, Ahmad N, Rahman HA. Determinants of knowledge on sexually transmitted infections among students in public higher education institutions in Melaka state, Malaysia. PLoS One. 2020 Oct 29;15(10):e0240842. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0240842. PMID: 33119620; PMCID: PMC7595423.
19. VISALLI G, COSENZA B, MAZZÙ F, BERTUCCIO MP, SPATARO P, PELLICANÒ GF, et al. Knowledge of sexually transmitted infections and risky behaviours: a survey among high school and university students. J Prev Med Hyg. 2019;60: E84–E92. doi:10.15167/2421-4248/jpmh2019.60.2.1079
20. Caetano ME, Linhares IM, Pinotti JA, Maggio da Fonseca A, Wojitani MD, Giraldo PC. Sexual behavior and knowledge of sexually transmitted infections among university students in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Int J Gynecol Obstet. 2010;110: 43–46. doi:10.1016/j.ijgo.2010.02.012
21. Oladepo O, Brieger WR. AIDS knowledge, attitude and behaviour patterns among university students in Ibadan, Nigeria. Afr J Med Med Sci. 1994;23: 119–125.
Copyright (c) 2022 A.J. Andriamamonjisoa, R. Rakotomalala, V. Andriananja, M. Raberahona, F. Randriamampionona, R.L. Andrianasolo, M.J.D. Randria, R.A. Rakotoarivelo
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
.jpg)
