Health Seeking Behaviour for STDs Among Soldiers in Core One Hundred Eighth of the Ethiopian Army
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Date
2003-07
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Addis Abeba Universty
Abstract
A community based descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted to describe the healthseeking
behaviour for STDs and determine the factors associated with the health-seeking
behaviour of soldiers in Core One Hundred Eighth of the Ethiopian army. The study was
conducted in Tigray Regional State from December 2002 to February 2003. A sample
proportionate to population size was drawn from each units of the Core and subjects were
selected using a systematic random sampling technique. Data were collected from 384
subjects that reported having had one or more STD related genital symptoms during the one
year recall period using a structured questionnaire. Among the sample, while awareness about
gonorrhoea, syphilis, chancroid, and lymphogranuloma venerum was found to be fairly high,
knowledge about the other STDs was low. A substantial number of respondents were found
to have misconceptions and/or erroneous knowledge about the risk factors and preventive
methods of STDs. Among study subjects, more urethral discharge, genital ulcer, genital
blister, and painful micturation were found to be associated with STDs than the other genital
symptoms (OR = 9.87 (5.29 – 19.27). Peers were found to be the most important sources of
information for STD related genital symptoms. The rate of treatment-seeking was 72.1%.
Thought of having some kind of illness during having the symptom, severity of symptoms,
perceived source of most effective treatment for the symptom and working assignment units
were found to be significantly associated with treatment receipt (P < 0.05). Geographic
proximity to units, marital status, and age were found to be significant determinants of choice
of treatment sources (between those under Ministry of Defence and outside Ministry of
Defence) (P < 0.05). Geographic proximity to units, association of genital symptoms with
STDs, severity of symptoms, and working assignment units were found to be significantly
associated with time of attendance to treatment sources (P < 0.05). In addition, attendance to
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treatment sources at earlier symptomatic stages was found to correlate with longer military
service (P < 0.05). Health education interventions should be strengthened and expanded to
include the second generation STDs. Health education interventions should emphasise the
risk factors, and preventive methods of STDs, and on the creation of demand and positive
attitude towards modern services. The Ministry of Defence needs to look for a way to allow
soldiers with STD related genital symptoms to receive care at any of the Ministry’s treatment
centres nearby their locations at times when they are away from their units. Studies
concerning quality of treatment sources under Ministry of Defence should be carried-out to
improve social accessibility of the treatment sources.
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Keywords
Health Seeking Behaviour